LUMSDEN RECEIVES FUNDS FROM INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM

Released on June 4, 2001

The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan will spend more than $917,000 on

infrastructure projects in the Lumsden area over the next two years.



Premier Lorne Calvert and Natural Resources Canada Minister Ralph Goodale

on behalf of Ron Duhamel, Minister of Veterans Affairs, Secretary of State

(Western Economic Diversification) (Francophonie) today announced funding

support through the Canada – Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program (CSIP).



The Canada – Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program will provide more than

$865,000 toward the construction of a water treatment plant and a new water

storage reservoir in the town of Lumsden. This project will increase the

quality of the local drinking water and provide adequate water storage.



"Projects like these protect our people and our environment," Calvert

said. "This program focuses on the long-term benefits of building a 21st

century infrastructure and enhancing the quality of our environment."



Construction of 2.6 kilometers of main farm access road in the RM of

Lumsden will also take place with more than $52,000 in CSIP support. The

upgrade will provide a safe, all weather road that borders a community

pasture and leads directly to the Marion Heights Resort, Keddleston Beach,

Highwood Beach, the Resort Village of Regina Beach and Kinookima Village.



"One of the goals of the Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program is to

support long term economic growth with improvements to urban, rural and

northern municipal infrastructure," Goodale said. "With contributions from

the three levels of government, we can leverage greater investments to

protect the environment and enhance the quality of life for residents in

Saskatchewan."



The Canada – Saskatchewan Infrastructure Program (CSIP) is a five-year

program that will result in infrastructure investments of at least $170

million in Saskatchewan municipalities. The program provides up to two-

thirds of the eligible costs associated with community projects.

Communities provide the balance of project costs.



"It is with great pleasure that the Town of Lumsden enters in to this

partnership with the Provincial and Federal governments to guarantee the

citizens of Lumsden a quality and adequate water supply for today and

tomorrow," Mayor of the Town of Lumsden Verne Barber said.



The first priority for infrastructure investment through the CSIP is green

municipal projects such as water and wastewater developments and upgrades,

solid waste management and recycling and improving the energy efficiency of

buildings owned by municipal governments.



Other priorities under the program include local transportation

infrastructure, cultural and recreational facilities, infrastructure

supporting tourism, rural and remote telecommunications, high-speed

Internet access for local public institutions, and affordable housing.



"Our R.M. is very pleased to receive Canada – Saskatchewan Infrastructure

Program funds for the construction of 2.6 Kilometers of a main farm access

road," Reeve of the Rural Municipality of Lumsden No. 189 Jim Hipkin

commented. "The road connects two municipalities and is traveled by area

farmers, the Arm River Colony and full time commuters to properties on the

west side of Last Mountain Lake."



This year $24 million combined federal and provincial funding has been

allocated to 86 Saskatchewan municipalities.



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For more information, contact:



Cathie Kryzanowski Joanne Mysak

Municipal Affairs and Housing Western Economic Diversification

Regina Saskatoon

Phone: (306) 787-8890 Phone: (306) 975-5942



WD Toll-Free No.: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)

WD World Wide Web site:

English – http://www.wd.gc.ca

French – http://www.deo.gc.ca



Canada Infrastructure Program: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/ino-bni

Municipal Affairs:

http://www.municipal.gov.sk.ca/canada_infrastructure.shtml

Western Economic Diversification Canada: http://www.wd.gc.ca