News Release

October 3, 2003

$30 MILLION FEDERAL-PROVINCIAL-MUNICIPAL PARTNERSHIP FUNDS URBAN REVITALIZATION PROJECTS IN REGINA

REGINA, Saskatchewan - A strategic infrastructure investment in urban revitalization totalling close to $30 million for Regina was announced today by Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, on behalf of Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Infrastructure, together with Saskatchewan Premier Lorne Calvert and Regina Mayor Pat Fiacco.

This funding will be used to revitalize Wascana Lake and to build a new multi-purpose community facility at Regina Exhibition Park. These two undertakings together constitute a sustainable urban development package. Each located near the heart of Regina; they will contribute to a healthy and vibrant inner-city core, as well as the economic, social and cultural well being of the entire community.

"I am delighted that the Government of Canada has teamed up with the City of Regina and the Province of Saskatchewan to make this durable investment in Regina's future," said Minister Goodale. "By deepening Wascana Lake, which is the jewel of our Queen City, and by building an important new facility to augment Exhibition Park, we are practising genuine, long-term urban revitalization."

"These projects illustrate our commitment to a wide open future for the people of Saskatchewan. They also will provide lasting legacies for Saskatchewan in support of the province's Centennial in 2005," said Premier Lorne Calvert.

"This commitment to the revitalization of Wascana Lake and Regina Exhibition Park is a historic moment for the City of Regina," said Mayor Pat Fiacco. "It's a unique and significant investment in the long-term vitality and growth of our city. We are pleased to partner with the Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan in making this vision for Regina a reality. The City funding will come from the General Surplus Revenue, that includes surplus funds from 2002 operations, and will not require any funding from property taxes."

"Today's investment in Regina is another example of the Government of Canada's long-term commitment to infrastructure improvements," commented Minister Rock. "Projects like these not only respond to Canada's strategic infrastructure needs, but improve the quality of life of Canadians and support economic growth in communities across the country."

To deepen Wascana Lake, the Government of Canada has committed up to $9 million or a maximum of 50-percent of the approved costs (whichever is the lesser). The provincial government is contributing approximately $5 million and the City of Regina is providing $4 million. The lake bottom between Albert and Broad Streets will be lowered by some 5.5 metres, helping to alleviate weed and water quality problems and extending the useful life of this man-made reservoir by at least 100 years.

To construct a new multi-purpose building on the infield of the previous racetrack at Exhibition Park, the Government of Canada has committed a further $5 million. The provincial government is contributing $4 million and the City of Regina is providing $3 million. This facility will help address neighbourhood sporting and recreational needs (especially important for inner-city youth), while also providing a new venue for trade shows, exhibitions and other major events - adding to Regina's capacity to stage such high calibre activities as Canadian Western Agribition, the Western Canada Farm Progress Show, the Royal Red Horse Show, the 2005 Canada Summer Games and celebrating Saskatchewan's Centennial.

Contacts:

Pat Breton
Office of Ralph Goodale
(613) 996-4893

Rob Cunningham
Province of Saskatchewan
(306) 787-6349

Sandy Gousseau
City of Regina
(306) 777-7486

Mylène Dupéré
Office of Allan Rock
(613) 943-7003

View photos at the CBC Saskatchewan Web site. (English only)

BACKGROUNDER

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA CONTRIBUTION TO URBAN REVITALIZATION IN REGINA

The Government of Canada will provide up to $14 million to contribute to urban development in Regina through improvements to Wascana Lake ($9 million) and the construction of a multi-purpose facility in Regina Exhibition Park ($5 million).

The federal funding for these undertakings will come from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. Through this fund, the Government of Canada works with provincial, territorial and municipal governments, as well as the private sector, to meet strategic infrastructure needs across the country. Federal investments are directed toward large-scale projects of regional and/or national significance which help to sustain economic growth and enhance Canadians' quality of life - including sustainable urban development and revitalization.

In a first round of strategic infrastructure projects announced nationally, earlier this year, the Government of Canada committed more than $82 million to Saskatchewan for major transportation upgrades, including accelerated twinning of the TransCanada Highway. A second round of strategic projects was made possible by the most recent Federal Budget which earmarked additional funding for on-going infrastructure investments, including those in today's announcement.

Since 1993, the Government of Canada has provided more than $12 billion through some nine different funding initiatives to help address Canada's various infrastructure needs. By leveraging the financial participation of other levels of government and the private sector, these Government of Canada programs have resulted in more than $30 billion in infrastructure activity across the country.

Wascana Lake

The Wascana Reservoir was built in 1897 and deepened to form the Wascana Lake in 1908. In 1956, the eastern portion of the lake was declared a Federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary, where over 200 breeding pairs of Canada Geese nest every year, and where more than 115 species of birds stop during migration. The lake is currently too shallow, and that causes weed growth, which adversely affects water quality and generates spring break-up odours. The shallowness impedes recreational use of the lake.

The funding announced today will deepen the lake by 5.5 meters, and reduce light penetration that otherwise enhances aquatic vegetation growth. The deepening will alleviate the issues mentioned above, will maintain water irrigation, and will accommodate competitive and recreational boating.

The project will remove 1.2 to 1.5 million cubic meters of material which will be hauled to an agricultural site where it will be spread out to dry. Material will also be deposited on Wascana Hill to build larger and more useful ecological areas. The project should begin this fall and be completed by spring 2004.

Multi-purpose Facility at Regina Exhibition Park

The investment announced today will fund the construction of a multi-purpose facility at Regina Exhibition Park. The 135,000 square foot facility will include:

• an area for exhibits and sports with multi-purpose flooring, electrical and lighting services, and other multi-use attributes;
• an outdoor recreational space for neighbourhood children and youth; and
• a large versatile space attached to the Queensbury Centre, including indoor access to offices, meeting rooms, and food and beverage services.

Once completed, the facility is expected to serve about one million people annually, including 150,000 people for trade shows, community events and conventions and over 100,000 people for sports-related activities. The facility will also help create employment and provide a safe environment for local youth development.

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