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Profiles of projects in Saskatchewan
- Carrot River
- Estevan
- Flaxcombe
- Kinistino
- Maidstone
- Meadow Lake
- Melville
- Mount Pleasant
- Poplar Valley
- Regina
- Saskatoon
New Sewage Lift Station
Project location: Carrot River, Saskatchewan
The Town of Carrot River, Saskatchewan, named for the wild carrots that grow along the river, is located in northeast Saskatchewan along the Canadian National Railway, about 180 kilometres from Prince Albert. It has a population of 2,400 and a local economy driven by agriculture, but also by logging and forestry. It also boasts a unique peat moss processing industry.
For some time, this rural town has endured health risks associated with high volumes of wastewater and sewage overflow incidents. With the construction of a new sewage lift station, sewage and wastewater systems have been dramatically improved.
This project, which was cost-shared between the Saskatchewan and federal governments, is preventing overflows and providing for the safe and efficient transfer of sewage to the town's primary wastewater treatment facilities. It has also created healthier, safer working conditions for employees by implementing new standards that align with current provincial health and safety regulations.
"This was a great aid to us because it saved our taxpayers from paying off long-term debt for many years," says Carrot River Mayor Jim Doherty. "It's a real boost for a small town to get this kind of funding. [Without it, the project] probably also wouldn't have happened quite as quickly as it did."
Federal contribution: $100,050
The Heart of a Community
Year-Round Family Activity
Project location: Estevan, Saskatchewan
The fastest growing city in Saskatchewan is getting a new civic centre.
With the help of $5.1 million from the Communities Component of the federal Building Canada Fund, construction began in the fall of 2009 on the Civic Events Centre in Estevan, a city tucked into the southeast corner of the province.
The new complex will have a total occupancy of 3,664 people and provide the region and city with a state-of-the-art venue for hockey, curling and figure skating. A full-service lounge will overlook the ice surface.
A two-lane rubberized walking track has been included to promote year-round fitness for the region's walkers and joggers and will be an integral part of track and field and gymnastics programs. Indoor soccer and lacrosse will now also be possible. Eight large dressing rooms complete the new facilities, which will help Estevan attract sporting events -- and the dollars they generate -- to the region.
The city also hopes to use the centre for concerts, conventions and cultural events.
The Civic Events Centre is being integrated into the existing Souris Valley Leisure and Aquatic Centre. The complex will feature large glazed windows for capturing natural light, and energy efficient operating systems. The project extends the life of the existing part of the new complex by introducing energy efficiencies into the retrofit and new construction.
Federal contribution: $5,100,000
Cleaner Water with Fewer Chemicals
Project location: Flaxcombe, Saskatchewan
Water quality had long been a problem for the residents of Flaxcombe. The lack of high quality water also hampered the town's capacity to grow, despite its central location in a cattle and grain farming area and its proximity to the Kindersley oil fields.
Now, with $163,532 from the Communities Component of the federal Building Canada Fund, high-quality drinking water will soon be a reality in Flaxcombe.
According to Town Administrator Charlotte Helfrich, the town council did its homework. It researched and consulted with experts in the hunt for a system that would reduce turbidity in the water without the use of additional chemicals.
The solution turned out to be slow sand filtration. Environmentally friendly, the new system significantly reduces the use of chemicals used to treat raw water. Construction is now underway on a plant to house the new bio-filtration system.
This new supply of good, clean water is being attained with reduced environmental impact. Residents will benefit from reduced water treatment costs, and Flaxcombe will now be able to offer better water to potential residents and businesses.
Federal contribution: $163,532
Water and Sewer Systems Improvements
Project location: Kinistino, Saskatchewan
The Town of Kinistino, located in north-central Saskatchewan, is preparing for future growth as a result of its close proximity to the proposed Shore Diamond Mine.
To help support this expansion, more than $290,000 from the Building Canada Fund Communities Component is helping to improve the town's water distribution and sewage collection systems. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's Municipal Infrastructure Lending Program is also a partner in helping make this project possible.
Once this project is complete, all homes within the town, including those currently under development, will be connected to the existing water distribution system, have standard sewage disposal methods, and easy access to quality drinking water.
Federal contribution: $294,000
Vital Safety and Capacity Upgrades
Project location: Maidstone, Saskatchewan
Recognizing the potential impact of a road in poor condition on the safety of motorists and on the economy of the entire region, the Rural Municipality of Eldon was granted $254,833 from the Communities Component of the federal Building Canada Fund to rebuild a stretch of Township Road 490 in Maidstone.
Located at the junction of two major highways in western Saskatchewan, one of them being the main corridor between Saskatoon and Edmonton, the Maidstone area calls itself "the land of canola and purebred cattle in the heart of the heavy crude."
Heavy vehicles serving the oil and gas, agricultural, and oil field service industries frequently used Township Road 490, which had not been built with today's heavy equipment in mind; its load-bearing capacity was becoming compromised.
Workers strengthened the sub-grade to increase load-bearing capacities using more sustainable materials to reduce long-term maintenance.
The improved roadbed increases safety for everyone using Road 490. Product transportation times have been reduced and a vital link for encouraging further mineral resource development in the region has been strengthened.
Federal contribution: $254,833
Improving the Road to Market
Project location: Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan economy depends on bulk commodity export, so keeping freight transportation costs low is critical. But recent shifts from an emphasis on rail to road transportation increased the need for roadways and bridges that could handle heavier loads.
In the Rural Municipality of Meadow Lake, two bridges over tributaries of Morin Creek did not meet standards. According to Raymond Wilfing, Reeve of Meadow Lake, "the old [timber] bridges were not safe and road access for agricultural vehicles and transport trucks was poor."
A higher road grade, improved access and two pre-cast concrete bridges that meet current safety standards now accommodate heavier transport trucks used to ship goods meant for international trade. The need for detours has been eliminated, thus improving transportation efficiencies.
Beneath the bridges, old culverts and sedimentation have been removed and the banks of the streams stabilized.
The federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund contributed $133,333 toward the replacement of each bridge.
Federal contribution: $133,333
Sustainable Economic Development
Renewed Community Vitality
Project location: Melville, Saskatchewan
Mayor Walter Streelasky calls it a "wow" project. With $8,186,808 from the Communities Component of the Building Canada Fund and a lot of local fund raising, Melville, Saskatchewan, is getting a new community multiplex.
The new centerpiece features a 1,700-seat stadium, 500-seat convention facility, family fitness centre and walking track, a cardiac care centre, public meeting space and concession facilities.
Beyond the social, recreational and health benefits, the new multiplex will bring a renewed sense of vitality to the city by encouraging people and businesses to make Melville their home. It should also encourage sustainable economic development as the facilities attract more visitors to Melville, whether for a hockey game, craft fair or conference.
Chamber of Commerce President Brian Hicke doesn't see a downside to the new multiplex. "The Chamber is ecstatic. How can you not be. . . . Things are going to happen."
Once this phase of construction is complete, long-term plans include the addition of an aquatic centre, curling rink, performing arts centre and community centre.
Federal contribution: $8,186,808
New Bridge, Healthier River
Project location: Mount Pleasant, Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan's Antler River is part of the Lower Souris River watershed that nourishes southeastern Saskatchewan and southwestern Manitoba. A couple of dozen municipalities in this largely agricultural area depend on the watershed for their potable water. As such, protecting the health of the streams in the region is of primary importance.
In the Rural Municipality of Mount Pleasant, a very low bridge across the Antler River was falling apart. That made it unsafe for vehicular and pedestrian traffic, but its low construction also made it a prime barrier for currents in the Antler River. This increased sedimentation and impeded seasonal fish migrations.
Thanks to $158,333 from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the Government of Saskatchewan went to work during the winter months when fish migration was not an issue to replace the structure with a higher bridge set further back on the banks of the river.
The sedimentation and fish migration concerns that affected the health of the entire watershed have been resolved. The new bridge can also accommodate heavier loads and large farm equipment safely and efficiently, eliminating detours made necessary by the previous bridge's condition.
The new bridge has an expected lifespan of one hundred years.
Federal contribution: $158,333
Bridge Upgrade
Reduced Maintenance
Project location: Poplar Valley, Saskatchewan
A timber bridge across a stream in the Rural Municipality of Poplar Valley had reached the end of its expected service life. Its limited load capacity also affected the movement of farm machinery in this farming and ranching community in southern Saskatchewan.
Recognizing it was time for change, the Rural Municipality used $33,333 from the federal Infrastructure Stimulus Fund to help replace the older structure with a new culvert bridge.
The new bridge requires less upkeep and monitoring by municipal maintenance personnel and greatly improves the ability of local farmers and ranchers to move their machinery and vehicles in the most direct routing possible thus reducing operating costs and greenhouse gas emissions.
Federal contribution: $33,333
Global Transportation Hub
Project location: Regina, Saskatchewan
Crucial to the economic future of Regina is the Global Transportation Hub and new industrial area being built west of the city. It will provide existing and future regional industries with access to national and international inter-modal transportation systems and global supply chains.
To help secure and support the new industries and freight service providers that a facility like this will attract, the federal government is supporting a project to build a pumping station and force main collection system. When finished, it will provide the necessary underlying infrastructure services – water, wastewater and drainage – to the area. The project is expected to be complete in the summer of 2010.
Thanks to the Infrastructure Stimulus fund under Canada's Economic Action Plan, this project will contribute to Regina's employment and economic growth capacity by attracting new industry and facilitating the efficient transfer of shipping containers between trains and trucks. It will also support train movement throughout the region as well as vehicular traffic flow and safety in and around Regina.
Federal contribution: $3,300,000
Meeting Economic Growth Needs
Project Location: Regina, Saskatchewan
The Ross Industrial Park in Regina is expanding. Zoned for heavy mixed industrial use, traffic to the park has soared.
As one of only two main arteries serving the industrial area, Ross Avenue needed to be rebuilt, something Regina is doing with $1.1 million from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
The funding allowed the city to widen and rehabilitate part of Ross Avenue. Adding two new lanes and a centre left-turn lane to better accommodate heavy vehicles and high traffic volumes.
Reducing congestion and creating a smooth road surface on Ross Avenue reduces greenhouse gas emissions and improves driver safety. It also helps prolong the life of the road and positions the area to attract further economic development.
Federal contribution: $1,100,000
Regina Road Rehabilitation—9th and 13th Avenues
Project location: Regina, Saskatchewan
These recently completed road improvement projects are helping increase the efficiency of the local transportation network system, enhance public safety, and significantly reduce the risk of accidents. Undertaken by the City of Regina, the projects benefited from a total federal contribution of $421,846 under the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. They included the replacementof existing sidewalks, curbs and gutters in various locations, as well as the repair of existing manholes, catch basins and water valves. Some of the existing tarmac was also milled off and replaced with new asphalt.
Federal contribution: $421,846
Safer Family Travel
Project location: Regina, Saskatchewan
Dorothy Street, along the western edge of Regina, includes a mix of single-family and multi-unit residential with a sprinkling of recreational areas, churches, a school and neighbourhood commercial facilities. As such, the street is well travelled by families in vehicles, on foot and on bicycles and skateboards.
But Dorothy Street's deteriorating road surface and inadequate drainage had created unsafe conditions for both motorists and pedestrians.
Thanks to $189,186 from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund, the City of Regina's ongoing road rehabilitation program paid Dorothy Street a visit to cold mill the existing asphalt, replace curbs, gutters and sidewalks, rebuild manholes and catch basins and put on a fresh top layer of new asphalt.
The renewed street and sidewalks mean safe, smooth travel surfaces for residents and visitors to Dorothy Street neighbourhoods. And best of all, as Mayor Pat Fiacco likes to point out, the funding helped Regina refurbish the street without worrying about a tax increase.
Federal contribution: $189,186
Recycled Pavement, Cleaner Environment
Project location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Many Canadian cities struggle with a backlog of street repairs. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, welcomed federal assistance for short-term projects provided through the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund.
The city’s 8th Street provides access to two neighbourhoods and a major business district serving the eastern side of Saskatoon. As such, it is a highly travelled corridor, but severe rutting and cracking had undermined the structure of the roadbed and created a safety hazard.
When the city decided to fix 8th Street, the public works department did not select traditional paving techniques for the resurfacing, opting instead for innovative solutions and materials to save costs and protect the environment. Seventy-five percent of all the materials used were recycled concrete and asphalt.
Mayor Donald Atchison points out that this saved the city money on pavement and kept the material out of landfill, reducing the project’s impact on the environment.
The new, smoother road surface has greatly improved driver and pedestrian safety along this busy east-side artery.
Federal contribution: $443,334
Project profiles in other provinces and territories: