PROVINCE AND CITY ANNOUNCE FUNDING FOR 2005 CANADA SUMMER GAMES PREPARATIONS

The provincial government and the City of Regina have pledged $950,000 to prepare Wascana Park for the 2005 Jeux du Canada Summer Games. The announcement was made today by Community Resources and Employment Minister Joanne Crofford, on behalf of Saskatchewan Property Management Minister Deb Higgins, and Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco.

"All eyes will be on Saskatchewan during the 2005 Canada Summer Games and we want to make sure our province is putting its best foot forward," Crofford said. "This money will be used to ensure that as Canadians from across the country watch the summer games, they see how welcoming and inviting our province is. They'll see the results of 100 years of heart."

"Thanks to this funding, we can now complete the improvements needed for Wascana Centre to serve as an important venue for the 2005 Canada Summer Games," Fiacco said. "Our residents, volunteers, local businesses and corporations are ready to make these Games an event to remember."

The funding will be used for enhancements at Pine Island, the Broad Street staging area and the promenade along Albert Street. The work will include irrigation, trees and shrubs, furnishings, pathways, sod and seeding as well as extra benches, bicycle racks and permanent trash bins throughout the park. New lighting will also be added to areas where traffic is expected to increase as a result of the 2005 Canada Summer Games which will run from August 6th – 20th, 2005.

The province will contribute $700,000 and the City of Regina will contribute $250,000.

Completion of site work is expected by mid-July.

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For More Information, Contact:

Natosha Lipinski Property Management Regina Phone: (306)787-7753 Cell: (306)535-3025

Sandy Gousseau City of Regina Regina Phone: (306)537-1994