It was Battleford’s turn to acknowledge the province’s funding to the town of $636,573 as part of the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program Monday afternoon.
Mayor Ames Leslie and Battlefords MLA Herb Cox were at the official ribbon cutting in Battleford, where Battleford thanked the province for the funding, which is aimed at stimulating the economy by funding shovel-ready infrastructure projects.
The town’s allocation is going towards seven projects. The announcement was made at Battleford Arena, which is receiving $97,000 in upgrades under the program.
Leslie said the rink is “key to a safe and sound community.” The projects at the rink will convert 125 fluorescent lights into LED lighting. A heat exchange will also be installed to take the heat from the ice plant and convert it to useable heat for the ice surface and also keep the fans warm.
This will save thousands of dollars in the coming years and “reduce the draw on SaskPower and also the draw on gas from SaskEnergy,” said Leslie.
Other funds include $241,400 toward the 35th Street overlay; $76,500 to sidewalk development; $19,400 to an industrial drainage project; $76,000 to a multi-purpose pathway; $83,000 to a new playground; and $43,273 to water and wastewater lines at the campground. The projects will be done over the next several months.
This was one of a number of funding announcements that Cox was scheduled to appear at this week, as he wraps up what is expected to be his final week as MLA for the Battlefords before the provincial election is called.
Earlier on Monday afternoon he appeared at the City of North Battleford’s MEEP funding ribbon-cutting. On Tuesday he was scheduled to appear at a ribbon cutting for John Paul II’s renovation project.
“This is the exciting part of the job,” said Cox, but “it’s an important part of the job — we continue to support all of our communities in the province ... it’s been a great journey for me, I’ve had a great nine years, I’ve enjoyed it. I’m very pleased that the people of the Battlefords honoured me with this by electing me.”
