INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS FUNDING APPROVED FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE

Released on February 25, 1998

Natural Resources Minister Ralph Goodale, Saskatchewan Health Minister

Clay Serby and Municipal Government Minister Carol Teichrob today

announced the official opening of the St. Walburg Health Complex.

Funding for this project was provided under Phase One of the

Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Works Program.



Total cost of the project is $1,269,000 with the provincial government

contributing $410,000, the federal government contributing $225,000

and the Twin Rivers Health District and local communities contributing

$634,000.



Speaking on behalf of Ron J. Duhamel, Secretary of State for Western

Economic Diversification and minister responsible for implementation

of the infrastructure program in Western Canada, Goodale said:

"Today's announcement illustrates how all levels of government are

working in partnership to provide vital infrastructure components -

such as local health care facilities - that improve the quality of

life for our residents. A solid infrastructure base, from roads,

water and sewer systems to health care centres, is also vital to

attracting new industry and economic growth."



"The expanded health services provided in this new health centre and

long-term care renovation project will clearly enhance the health and

well-being of St. Walburg and area residents," Serby said.

Teichrob, minister responsible for the Canada-Saskatchewan

Infrastructure Agreement said, "Infrastructure investments such as the

St. Walburg Health Complex meet local priorities for health care,

create jobs in the community and enable the various levels of

government to work together for economic renewal."



The St. Walburg Health Complex includes a 592 square metre

community health centre addition to the Lakeland Lodge long-term

care facility. The health centre contains treatment,

observation, palliative care and examination areas as well as

diagnostic services, administration, community-based services and

meeting areas.



The original Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Works Program,

signed in January 1994, is estimated to have created more than

5,200 short-term jobs, while at the same time making essential

improvements to infrastructure throughout the province.



Federal funding for this initiative was provided for in the

February 1997 budget and is therefore built into the existing

fiscal framework. These projects underline the commitment of

both governments to establish spending priorities that will best

serve the people of Saskatchewan through efficient use of their

tax dollars.



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For more information, contact:



Joanne Mysak Russ Krywulak

Manager, Consultations, Marketing Executive Director

and Communications Provincial and Municipal

Western Economic Diversification Relations Branch

Canada Municipal Government

Saskatoon Regina

Phone: (306) 975-5942 Phone: (306) 787-8887

WD Toll-Free No.: 1-888-338-WEST

(9378) Patrick Hall

WD World Wide Web site: Municipal Government

English - http://www.wd.gc.ca Regina

French - http://www.deo.gc.ca Phone: (306) 787-0689



Kimberly Wihnan

Health

Regina, Phone: (306) 787-1320