Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. North
  3. Unity-Wilkie Press-Herald

Wilkie announces completion of solar panel project

The SaskCan Community Centre in Wilkie announced the completion of the solar panel project, with help from government of Canada and Saskatchewan partnerships
Press Herald Staff

WILKIE — A small crowd including town officials, dignitaries including three MLA's, arena user groups, arena staff, RM of Buffalo Reeve Les Kroschinski and community members were on hand to celebrate the completion of the SaskCan Community Centre ice plant solar power project.

A representative of Prairie Sun Solar out of Regina that completed the project was unable to attend.  

“Today, the Town of Wilkie celebrated the completion of their more than $353,000 solar upgrade to the community centre and ice plant power supply – a project funded in part by the federal and provincial governments,” said Mayor David Ziegler

Construction on the project began in August of 2021. The work involved installation of 500 solar panels and associated equipment on the rooftop to serve a portion of the electricity needs for the SaskCan Community Centre. Construction was completed in the fall of 2021.

The SaskCan Community Centre includes two rinks, used for hockey and curling, with an attached hall that is used for a variety of community functions. The completion of the project will greatly benefit the community by reducing operating costs and, of course, the environmental footprint.

A release from the Town of Wilkie said, “Under the Investing In Canada Infrastructure Program, the Government of Canada contributed just over $141,000 toward the project. The Government of Saskatchewan contributed just over $117,000, leaving the Town of Wilkie to fund the remainder of the project, with approximately $95,000 coming out of the town’s budget."

“Projects such as Wilkie’s solar initiative not only help us reach our emissions reductions targets, but they also enable municipalities to reduce the cost of their electrical consumption and improve residents' quality of life.” said Dominic LeBlanc, Federal Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, in the release.

Ryan Domotor, MLA for the Cut Knife-Turtleford constituency, on behalf of Don McMorris, Saskatchewan minister of Government Relations, said, “In addition to upgrading the building’s energy supply, these upgrades will strengthen the sense of community in that area. The SaskCan Community Centre is an important place for people from Wilkie and the surrounding rural municipalities to gather for events that will continue to create positive lasting memories.”

“Without the partnership with the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan on this project, through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure program, the town of Wilkie would not have been able to financially commit to this project,” said Ziegler.

The Dec. 3 presentation included a short video depicting the work completed by Prairie Sun Solar, with a description of how savings are going to affect power costs for the SaskCan Community Centre.