ITUNA CURLERS AND MONTMARTRE SWIMMERS WILL BENEFIT FROM UPGRADES TO THEIR FACILITIES

Ituna and Montmartre residents will benefit from over $79,000 in combined federal and provincial funding for infrastructure projects through the Canada-Saskatchewan Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).

Today's announcement includes more than $40,000 to enable the Town of Ituna to conduct green energy upgrades to its curling facility, including the installation of a new furnace, underground wiring and an energy-efficient storage shed. A new ice plant will also be installed. More than $38,000 will be provided to the Village of Montmartre for green energy improvements to its recreation centre that include the installation of a solar power system, a new boiler and a pool cover.

The investments were announced today by Andrew Scheer, Member of Parliament for Regina Qu'Appelle, on behalf of Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Last Mountain-Touchwood MLA Glen Hart on behalf of Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs Minister Bill Hutchinson.

"The revitalization of these recreational facilities will provide safer and more energy-efficient environments for residents to enjoy," said Scheer. "Today's investments reflect our government's commitment to help communities grow as vibrant and productive places to live, work and raises families."

"The improvements announced today will provide real and lasting benefits to the residents of Ituna and Montmartre," Hart said. "The provincial government is committed to building a better future for all Saskatchewan people, and investing in infrastructure is an important part of that."

"We are quite fortunate to have qualified for the funding made available by the federal and provincial governments as without it, our curling rink would not have been able to open," Ituna Mayor Glenn Leontowich said. "Our recreation facilities are the hubs of our communities and this grant will ensure that this facility is energy efficient and able to operate for years to come."

Under the initial Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (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.

This announcement is 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 Environmental 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
Email: tyler.mcmurchy@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-7051