SASKATOON'S \"RIVER LANDING\" PROJECT TO RECEIVE $29.3 MILLION

Released on December 10, 2004

A joint infrastructure investment to help revitalize the former A.L. Cole power site in Saskatoon's River Landing was announced today by Premier Lorne Calvert, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Finance, and Don Atchison, Mayor of Saskatoon.

Federal, provincial and municipal funding totalling $29.3 million will be used to reclaim and develop the former industrial site as Phase II of Saskatoon's River Landing project. This area on the South Saskatchewan River is slated to include a park, a farmers' market, a village square and other facilities that will benefit both the people who live and work in Saskatoon, as well as the tourists who come to visit.

"The development of River landing is tremendously important to the City and citizens of Saskatoon," said Minister Goodale. "The Government of Canada is committed to the sustainability of our cities. We want to increase the benefits of urban living - economically, socially, environmentally and culturally. This is an example of what the 'New Deal for Cities and Communities' is all about."

The Government of Canada will provide up to $13.7 million toward the River Landing Phase II project through the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF). The Province of Saskatchewan will provide $5 million and the City of Saskatoon has committed $10.6 million. The Province's contribution is in addition to the $4 million already committed to riverbank renewal in front of the former Gathercole site, for a total of $9 million.

"It is important for the province to work with municipalities and the federal government to fund major infrastructure priorities that will have the most impact on the community," Calvert said. "Along with the obvious benefits of clean, green park space and new, improved infrastructure, this investment will realize great economic returns for the City of Saskatoon and the people of this province."

The A.L. Cole site was once a coal-fired electrical plant that was later converted to natural gas generation. While the plant has been demolished and the land cleaned to industrial standards, contaminants remain, rendering it unusable for residential use. A major public benefit of the project involves the clean up of the site.

Saskatoon Mayor Don Atchison said that for far too long, the land that was once the A.L. Cole power generation site and surrounding land have been symbols of dreams unfulfilled and lost opportunity.

"The City and our partners in the federal and provincial governments have recognized the real need for redevelopment, for reclaiming our riverfront, and for revitalizing our core neighbourhood," Atchison said. "The citizens of Saskatoon are excited about the opportunity to transform the area into a modern urban setting in Saskatoon's most deserving communities.

The funding will be invested to clean up contaminated soil to residential standards, design and develop the riverfront, create community park space, and build roadways to the neighbouring Gathercole site. The project will also reclaim and convert an old electrical building for use as an indoor farmers' market and space for businesses, and provide space for an outdoor summer market. An unused overpass will be removed and all entryways to the site will be streetscaped to provide a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.

The City will partner with the private sector organizations for the development of residential units, live-work units, a public square, new retail space and a restaurant.

Work will begin once necessary environmental assessment for the project is complete, in compliance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

Additional information about the project may be found at: www.saskatoon.ca.

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For More Information, Contact:

Maureen Boyle Government Relations Regina Phone: (306)787-5959	Chris Dekker City of Saskatoon Phone: (306)975-3207
Infrastructure Canada Phone: (613)948-1148