MOOSE JAW'S RIVER STREET TO BE REDEVELOPED

Released on August 8, 2000

$3 million will be spent revitalizing the historic centerpiece of Moose Jaw's

downtown.



A downtown block of River Street will be redeveloped to highlight the area's

colourful and historic history.



The province will contribute $470,000 to the project through a grant from the

Centenary Fund. That money will go toward new landscaping and lighting and the

upgrading of historic storefronts.



Post Secondary Education and Skills Training Minister Glenn Hagel and Moose Jaw

Wakamow MLA Deb Higgins made the announcement on behalf of Municipal Affairs,

Culture and Housing Minister Jack Hillson.



"The River Street redevelopment will create another destination attraction in

Moose Jaw's downtown core," Hagel said. "This project will further support the

efforts to boost the city's economy and increase tourism in the area."



A private developer and the City of Moose Jaw will finance the rest of the

redevelopment, including construction of a 450-seat amphitheatre and related

facilities.



"This is another example of government and the private sector forming a

partnership for the betterment of our community," Moose Jaw Mayor Ray Boughen

said. "The project will be a great addition to our city as a tourist

destination."



Design and planning of the redevelopment project will be done this year.

Construction will be done in two phases with completion in Summer, 2003.



The Centenary Fund was announced in this year's Provincial Budget. It helps

fund provincial or regional infrastructure projects, in preparation for

Saskatchewan's centennial celebrations in 2005.



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For more information, contact:



Mark Evans Ray Boughen

Municipal Affairs, Culture and Housing Mayor of Moose Jaw

Regina Phone: (306) 694-4422

Phone: (306) 787-1370