PROVINCE GIVES WASCANA CENTRE AUTHORITY A FINANCIAL BOOST

The province is providing $150,000 in additional funding to the Wascana Centre Authority (WCA) to help with its financial pressures. The province's contribution is being provided by the Provincial Capital Commission.

"Wascana Park is a signature feature of the city and the province," Minister responsible for the Provincial Capital Commission Bill Hutchinson said. "The provincial government recognizes its value. This additional funding will enable the Wascana Centre Authority to meet its financial commitments to the end of the current fiscal year. It will also help Wascana continue to flourish as one of North America's premier urban parks."

Since 2007, the province has also provided the Wascana Centre Authority with $322,000 in additional core operating funding, $1.2 million for recreation infrastructure and $4.7 million for engineering infrastructure

The province also provided an additional $600,000 to the WCA in 2008 and again in 2009; funding originally intended for use by the Provincial Capital Commission while this new organization was in the development stage.

The total amount of additional funding the Wascana Centre Authority has received from the province since 2007 is $7.5 million.

"Wascana Park is the jewel of Regina and is vital to the city and the province," Hutchinson said. "I am pleased we were able to find a way to give the Wascana Centre Authority additional financial help. We recognize this is a short-term solution and we need to work with our Wascana Centre Authority partners to develop a long-range plan."

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For more information, contact:

Sean St. George
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-9087
Email: sean.stgeorge@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-8635