ALMOST $392,000 FOR POOL AND RECREATION CENTRE UPGRADES IN WEYBURN, MIDALE AND BENGOUGH

An investment of $392,000 from the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan will mean upgrades to the City of Weyburn's Centennial Pool and the Town of Midale's Recreation Facility as well as an addition to the Town of Bengough's Community Centre.

The announcement was made today in Weyburn by Ed Komarnicki, Member of Parliament for Souris-Moose Mountain, on behalf of Rona Ambrose, President of the Queens Privy Council of Canada and Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Estevan MLA Doreen Eagles, on behalf of Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs Minister Bill Hutchinson.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to work with these three communities to upgrade their recreation centres and ensure residents of all ages have access to improved facilities, which are so often the heart of small communities," said Komarnicki. "Today's investment reflects our government's commitment to helping communities grow as vibrant and productive places to live, work and raise families."

"As Saskatchewan continues to grow, it makes sense to invest in quality infrastructure that will help our communities attract new people," Eagles said. "The provincial government is proud to invest in improvements to ensure these facilities serve the needs of the community for years to come."

"The City of Weyburn is excited to have received funding from the Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF)," Weyburn Mayor Debra Button said. "Repairs and renovations to the Centennial Pool will ensure that it retains its vital role in promoting the well-being of the people of Weyburn and surrounding area and keep the facility viable for years to come."

Under the initial MRIF agreement, the federal and provincial governments committed a combined $76 million to the fund, with participating communities contributing one-half of all costs, raising the total infrastructure investment above $152 million.

In 2007, the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan provided an additional $14.9 million to the fund as part of their commitment to help smaller communities meet their pressing infrastructure needs. This additional funding brings the total federal and provincial investment in MRIF projects to over $90.9 million.

The four projects announced today are part of a larger group of 56 MRIF cultural and recreational projects being announced across the province. The federal and provincial governments are providing more than $5.7 million toward these projects' $12.69 million total cost.

Before receiving final approval, community projects undergo a review process under both the Canadian Environment Assessment Act and The Environmental Assessment Act (Saskatchewan).

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For more information, contact:

Joanne Mysak
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Saskatoon
Phone: 306)-975-5942

Tyler McMurchy
Municipal Affairs
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5193
Cell: 306-537-7051