An upgraded water treatment plant was the centerpiece of activities in St. Walburg Wednesday, as the community celebrated an official opening of the facility.
In what was billed as a Town Appreciation Day, residents and officials gathered for a ceremony to celebrate the plant's reopening at 11 a.m., followed by tours of the treatment plant, the town office and town shop. Participants were then invited to share a complimentary barbecue lunch.
"This is a very big day for St. Walburg and it has been a long time coming," said Tony Leeson, mayor of St. Walburg.
"We were very fortunate to have such dedicated partners for this project," he said naming Associated Engineering, Ritchie Construction, AWI equipment and federal and provincial partners.
The community was approved for funding under the Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund program to upgrade the water treatment plant. The federal and provincial governments each contributed $624,175 to the project for a combined federal/provincial contribution of $1,248,350. The community contributed the balance of the $1.9 million project cost.
"This investment has helped create jobs and new opportunities in the local economy," said MP Gerry Ritz on behalf of Lynne Yelich, minister of state for Western Economic Diversification.
"Strong local infrastructure is vital to the lives of St. Walburg families and will make certain a solid foundation for continued growth in the community."
The town also used $32,000 in provincial Municipal Economic Enhance Program funding for water line replacement.
"This investment ensures critical services the community depends on are in place and that the Town of St. Walburg can continue to provide safe and reliable water services, MLA Jeremy Harrison said on behalf of Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter.
The project consists of water treatment plant upgrades including a building expansion and new treatment equipment. Water treatment plant upgrades were required to bring this waterworks into compliance with Saskatchewan Environment's disinfection requirements. The project results in improved water quality of residents.
