$500,000 GRANT FOR REGIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION

The province is providing the Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association with $500,000 to help cover the cost of improving infrastructure throughout the Regional Parks System.

"Saskatchewan has 101 regional parks which reflect community pride and offer a wide range of recreation opportunities," Environment Minister Buckley Belanger said. "This money from the Centenary Fund will help regional parks renew and rebuild facilities in time to mark the celebration of the province's centennial in 2005 and for Saskatchewan's wide open future."

The grant makes funds available to member parks for a broad range of projects such as improvements to campgrounds, playgrounds, water and sewer systems.

This is the fourth year the Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association has received a capital grant from the Centenary Fund. The Association has received $500,000 for park upgrades in each of the previous three years.

"These funds have been a huge helping hand in assisting Saskatchewan's Regional Parks with needed capital improvements in the parks," Executive Director of the Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association Darlene Friesen said. "Last year there were more than 98 improvement projects in 48 parks under this program. Park users are very pleased with the improvements that they are seeing in their favourite parks, and we appreciate the provincial government's support of rural Saskatchewan's Regional Parks System."

Approved projects must have local support demonstrated by one-third funding.

The Centenary Fund will leave a legacy of Saskatchewan's centennial for future generations. It supports specific infrastructure needs related to housing, education, heritage properties, parks, highways, environmental clean-up and municipal infrastructure.

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For More Information, Contact:

Susan McIntosh Environment Regina Phone: (306) 787-2898

Darlene Friesen Saskatchewan Regional Parks Association Saskatoon Phone: (306) 975-0857