Feds Spend Over $12 Million On Saskatchewan Recreation And Community Initiatives

By Robert Thomas

REGINA, SK - It was everything from pickleball courts, children’s playgrounds, baseball fields and even a major contribution to the RCMP Heritage Centre as the federal government announced over $12 million for Saskatchewan recreation and community revitalization initiatives.

Speaking at the RCMP Heritage Centre the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister for PrairiesCan, announced federal support of $12,839,265 for 56 Saskatchewan recreation and community revitalization initiatives.

The initiatives include $2,975,000 for the RCMP Heritage Centre and $9,864,265 for 55 other projects in Saskatchewan. Funding for the projects come from the Canada Community Revitalization Fund.

The initiatives are to encourage people to gather safely in both new and improved recreational infrastructure. The projects are to provide people with opportunities to connect and explore Saskatchewan.

“Local community and recreation spaces are where people gather, make connections, learn local history, or take in a quiet walk in the park. Our government is continuing to make investments that transform community infrastructure into modern gathering places for people of all ages and abilities through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund,” the Honourable Daniel Vandal Minister for PrairiesCan said in a statement.

The projects are seen as something for visitors and residents to enjoy.

“We’re proud to work with the RCMP Heritage Centre to revitalize and enhance features of the Centre that will attract more visitors. Here in Regina, and across Saskatchewan, these locally-led projects are bringing people together and revitalizing infrastructure for residents and visitors to experience and enjoy for years to come,” Minister Vandal said.

Two communities - Bengough and Riverhurst - where Moose Javians are from or travel to - were amongst the 55 communities to receive funding. Also MJ Independent has readership in these communities.

Bengough and the Bengough Municipal Parks, Recreation and Cultural Authority received $73,875 to upgrade washrooms at the pool, ball diamonds and campground.
Riverhurst received $74,716 to upgrade playground equipment and sheltered seating at Kiteley Park.

Funding for these two projects, and the 53 others came from the Canada Community Revitalization Fund, administered by PrairiesCan.

A list of all the projects receiving funding is below:

The RCMP Heritage Centre ($2,975,000)
Funding to renew programming and conduct broad public engagement and consultations to support its transition to a national museum. This includes operational support to hire additional staff and develop new programs and experiences.

Canada Community Revitalization Fund

  • Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations ($750,000)
    Construction of ceremonial spaces and multi-purpose rooms at the FSIN Governance Building on the Kahkewistihaw Urban Reserve in Saskatoon.

  • File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council ($750,000)
    Construct three ball diamonds in Fort Qu'Appelle.

  • The Regina Exhibition Association Ltd. ($750,000)
    Create indoor recreational facilities for pickleball, basketball and skateboarding in the Canada Centre at the REAL District.

  • Lac La Ronge Indian Band Health Services Inc. ($575,000)
    Construct a cultural center including a sweat lodge, greenhouse and kitchen in Air Ronge.

  • YMCA of Regina Inc. ($500,000)
    Convert the former Albert Street Co-op grocery store into the YMCA Community Connections Centre.

  • Muskowekwan Family Healing & Wellness Centre Inc. ($498,054)
    Create community cultural gathering spaces at Muskowekwan First Nation.

  • Wanuskewin Heritage Park Authority ($490,000)
    Upgrade Wanuskewin Heritage Park's culinary facility and increase space for the bison herd.

  • Big River First Nation ($486,000)
    Install an artificial soccer turf.

  • The Circle Project Association Inc. ($475,000)
    Renovate a building in Regina to create a community and cultural hub.

  • Agency Chiefs Tribal Council Inc. ($440,870)
    Develop a system of hiking and cycling trails through the communities of Witchekan Lake and Pelican Lake First Nations.

  • Town of Langham, Langham Multi-use Trail Development Committee ($420,375)
    Develop and expand River Ridge Trails.

  • Northern Hamlet of Stony Rapids ($352,500)
    Revitalize the winter recreation amenities in the Northern Hamlet of Stony Rapids.

  • City of Martensville ($304,000)
    Install new paved pathways and rehabilitate existing pathways.

  • City of Regina ($300,000)
    Enhance City Square for year-round use.

  • Resort Village of Manitou Beach ($233,250)
    Build an accessible all wheels pump track.

  • City of Estevan ($200,000)
    Replace the outdoor pool in Churchill Park with a new, accessible pool.

  • Town of Maidstone ($192,254)
    Transform Cedar Crescent into a new park.

  • Town of Hudson Bay ($187,500)
    Expand municipal trail system.

  • Village of Drake ($187,500)
    Create a usable outdoor space by installing an accessible playground.

  • Town of Grand Coulee ($142,125)
    Develop and create a gathering space in the community park.

  • Nekaneet First Nation ($129,828)
    Install an Indigenous themed playground.

  • Town of Macklin ($120,000)
    Construct an outdoor space suitable for farmers' markets, community gatherings and other events on Main Street.

  • Village of Val Marie ($113,718)
    Construct a spray park at the municipal campground and revitalize the garden at the Prairie Wind & Silver Sage - Friends of Grasslands museum and art gallery.

  • Town of Kinistino ($97,500)
    Create a multi-season recreation park.

  • City of Weyburn ($90,000)
    Expand and pave the Tatagwa Trail.

  • Town of Kipling ($75,000)
    Create a park in a vacant downtown lot.

  • Town of Vonda ($75,000)
    Create a gathering space by constructing a playground, gazebo with lighting and ramp on Main Street.

  • Village of Riverhurst ($74,716)
    Upgrade playground equipment and sheltered seating at Kiteley Park.

  • Town of Bengough and Bengough Municipal Parks, Recreation & Cultural Authority ($73,875)
    Upgrade washrooms at the pool, ball diamonds and campground.

  • Town of Cudworth ($66,975)
    Revitalize a multi-purpose outdoor sports ground.

  • Rural Municipality of Lajord No. 128, Kronau Community Recreation Co-operative ($59,926)
    Replace the ice plant at the Kronau curling club.

  • Town of La Ronge ($56,250)
    Install an accessible walkway and ramp across the beach in David Patterson Park.

  • Village of Vanguard ($54,375)
    Revitalize the playground and campground.

  • Town of Stoughton ($53,860)
    Convert two empty downtown lots on Main Street into a landscaped green space with seating.

  • Ukrainian Museum of Canada of the Ukrainian Women's Association of Canada ($51,750)
    Upgrade the roof, washrooms and electrical systems at the Ukrainian Museum of Canada.

  • Town of Wilkie ($47,681)
    Develop an under-utilized downtown green space into a market square.

  • Village of Hazlet ($45,000)
    Enhance an historic train station and its surroundings.

  • Spiritwood Area Recreation, Culture and Sport Inc. ($37,500)­
    Replace the washroom facilities at the ball diamond.

  • Rural Municipality of Lake Johnston No. 102 ($30,000)
    Revitalize the community centre and adjacent grounds in Mitchellton.

  • Village of Denzil ($29,721)
    Upgrade the community hall.

  • ­Hague Senior Citizens Housing Corporation ($26,000)
    Revitalize the grounds around Sunset Manor.

  • Station Arts Centre Co-operative ($25,300)
    Renovate a gathering space and gallery in downtown Rosthern.

  • Rural Municipality of Edenwold No. 158 ($25,059)
    Revitalize two tennis/pickleball courts in Emerald Park.

  • Town of Luseland ($25,000)
    Renovate an important multi-purpose public building.

  • Village of Middle Lake ($18,750)
    Create an outdoor event space in the downtown area.

  • Town of Lumsden ($18,597)
    Install seasonal street patios, planters, wheelchair pathways and picnic tables in the downtown area.

  • Rural Municipality of Pinto Creek No. 75 ($18,300)
    Replace the play structure in Kincaid and install picnic tables and park benches in Meyronne, Kincaid and Hazenmore.

  • Town of Rocanville ($15,140)
    Install a permanent outdoor rink with an asphalt base.

  • Town of Qu'Appelle ($15,000)
    Build a permanent outdoor rink.

  • Village of Dorintosh/Dorintosh Community Cooperative ($15,000)
    Relocate and expand playground.

  • Village of Coleville ($13,179)
    Install two high efficiency furnaces in the community rink and add LED lighting.

  • Village of Hawarden ($13,125)
    Install a new HVAC system at Centennial Hall.

  • Village of Neville ($6,750)
    Convert the old sports and school ground into a disc golf course.

  • Village of Strongfield ($6,375)
    Upgrade the ball field players’ dugout and add lighting to the ball field park.

  • Village of Loreburn ($5,587)
    Renovate the ball booth beside the ball diamond at the sportsground.

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