BUILDING COMMUNITIES PROGRAM INVESTS $1.7 MILLION IN MEEWASIN VALLEY CENTRE

The Meewasin Valley Centre will soon be undergoing renovations for increased accessibility thanks to a $1,712,767 investment from the Province of Saskatchewan through the Building Communities Program.

"Museums and interpretive centres play a vital role in helping communities develop a strong sense of identity and place," Minister of Justice Frank Quennell said in Saskatoon today on behalf of Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Sandra Morin. "This Building Communities Program investment is helping to make Saskatchewan a great place to live, work and raise a family."

Quennell was joined by Minister Responsible for the Meewasin Valley Authority and Saskatoon Centre MLA David Forbes and Saskatoon Greystone MLA Peter Prebble at today's announcement. The Meewasin Valley Centre is an interpretive centre located in Saskatoon where young children and families can learn about the history of the Meewasin Valley and the South Saskatchewan River system.

The Building Communities Program investment will go towards the construction of new visitor reception and information facilities, new exhibits and a roof-top garden area. The building will also feature increased accessibility for visitors.

"Meewasin is delighted and thankful that the Building Communities Program will help us to rebuild the Meewasin Valley Centre," Meewasin Valley Authority CEO Susan Lamb said. "The Centre has been in this location for almost 20 years with 350,000 visitors coming through the Centre since its opening in 1988. 56,000 of those visitors were students who attend the Centre through school programming."

"Upgrading the Centre will improve the experience for all visitors, help to attract more, and assist us by expanding our world-class programming," Meewasin Valley Authority Board Chair Richard Nieman said. "The funding will also kick start our renovation plans to make the Meewasin Valley Centre more accessible and more environmentally friendly."

The Building Communities Program is providing $100 million for cultural and recreational infrastructure over three years, beginning in 2006-07. The program seeks to ensure the sustainability of cultural and recreational infrastructure in communities throughout the province. It is the largest per capita program of its kind in Canada.

Information on the Building Communities Program can be found on the Culture, Youth and Recreation website at www.cyr.gov.sk.ca.

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For more information, contact:

Janet Peters
Culture, Youth and Recreation
Regina
Phone: 306-787-4967
Email: jpeters@cyr.gov.sk.ca