Released on February 25, 2011
The Government of Saskatchewan is pleased to contribute $50,000 toward community and event development through the Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions (SAASE) Venture Project Program.
The funding will have a focus on tourism and developing new events with wide appeal. It will also be used to promote and enhance the quality of life within communities around Saskatchewan.
"We are pleased to help SAASE develop additional successful local events that will result in more tourism, enhanced local pride and an even better quality of life," Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Bill Hutchinson said. "Programs such as the Venture Project Program provide tremendous value to all Saskatchewan residents by highlighting the importance of our province's agriculture industry."
The SAASE Venture Project Program has been in place since 1996 and has been used to assist numerous events and projects around the province by supplying the seed money to get those projects up and running. The funding will allow SAASE to increase the impact of the existing program by assisting its members to develop new events and programs.
"Agriculture Societies have become an institution that serves to bring together both rural and urban citizens for entertainment, education and at times competition," Prince Albert SAASE President Dave Young said. "Many events that are now presented annually would not have been possible without the SAASE Venture Project Program. SAASE's requests for Venture Project funding approval throughout the province has increased substantially and with the continued support of Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport, the program will continue to expand. More and more ag society programs will become reality, and in turn more and more communities will benefit."
Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions have an economic impact of more than $200 million a year in Saskatchewan. The Venture Project Program helps to ensure that the impact of Agricultural Societies and Exhibitions continues to grow.
SAASE is a non-profit, volunteer-driven, provincial association dedicated to serving Agricultural Societies and Exhibition Associations in promoting the agricultural industry and community development and growth in Saskatchewan. SAASE does this by providing opportunities for education, facilitating membership alliances and partnerships, advocacy and exercising leadership.
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For more information, contact:
Art Jones
Tourism, Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-3506
Email: art.jones@gov.sk.ca
Glen Duck
Saskatchewan Association of Agricultural
Regina
Phone: 306-565-2121
Email: gduck.saase@sasktel.net