NEW LOTTERY AGREEMENT CONTINUES TO BENEFIT COMMUNITY GROUPS

Sport, culture and recreation groups throughout Saskatchewan will continue to benefit from the proceeds of Saskatchewan Lotteries.

A new five-year agreement for distribution of lottery proceeds was signed today in Regina by Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Dustin Duncan and representatives of the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund for sport, culture and recreation.

"Our lottery system is another example of a partnership that enhances our way of life in Saskatchewan," Duncan said. "This is money put to good use to foster culture, sport and recreation in our communities, and help individuals, families and groups."

The lottery-funded system supports 1,200 provincial organizations, more than 12,000 community groups and more than 600,000 registered participants in sport, culture and recreation opportunities. The new agreement will further support and serve that community quality of life through an extended five-year term and increase in the share of lottery revenues. This increase in funding will help to address inflationary and operating pressures, which in turn will allow for increased investment in programming. The agreement also contains enhanced accountability and oversight measures surrounding the Lottery scheme in Saskatchewan.

"We thank the Province of Saskatchewan and the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport for their commitment to the volunteer-driven amateur sport system," Sask Sport Inc. President Dale Holmes said. "The Saskatchewan Lotteries fundraiser for sport, culture and recreation makes participation opportunities possible, enhancing the quality of life in every Saskatchewan community."

"On behalf of SaskCulture Inc. and the many cultural groups and volunteers working to deliver cultural programs throughout the province, I want to thank the provincial government for its continued support of the Saskatchewan Lotteries funded delivery system," SaskCulture President Peter England said. "The new lottery licence agreement will help ensure that cultural activity continues to help build strong communities and contribute to the successful growth of this province."

"The signing of the Lottery License Agreement helps demonstrate that the Province of Saskatchewan and the Ministry of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport understand the value of the voluntary sector and the personal, social, environmental and economic benefits that participation in parks and recreation provides," Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation (SPRA) President Randy Kinnee said. "SPRA thanks the province and the ministry for their continued support and looks forward to working with them in creating a stronger and healthier Saskatchewan."

The new agreement runs until March 31, 2014. Saskatchewan Lottery proceeds are administered through the Saskatchewan Lotteries Trust Fund by three organizations - Sask Sport Inc., Sask Culture Inc., and the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association.

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For more information, contact:

Janet Peters
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4967
Email: janet.peters@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-4909