Mayor Ames Leslie, centre right, and MLA Herb Cox, centre left, at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday for the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) funding release for the town. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Infrastructure support

Town MEEP funding to benefit Battleford Arena’s green initiatives, among several local infrastructure projects

Sep 22, 2020 | 10:06 AM

The Town of Battleford will see improvements to the Battleford Arena among several projects that will get a boost from the province’s new Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) funding.

Mayor Ames Leslie and Battlefords MLA Herb Cox took part in a ribbon-cutting ceremony outside the arena Monday to recognize the support the town will receive for a number of local infrastructure projects through the program.

Cox said the province’s investment will be a boost to many communities throughout Saskatchewan.

“I think it’s very important that we are working to stimulate the economy. As you know, we’ve gone through a tough summer; there’s been some job loss. It’s great to work together with the local municipalities to help get this economy back going,” Cox said.

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The province allocated the town $636,573 in total as part of the MEEP 2020 funding being distributed to individual municipalities on a per capita basis.

The town will apply that funding for several initiatives: arena upgrades which involves LED lighting installation and heat reclamation work for $97,000; the 35 Street road overlay work for $241,400; sidewalk development at $76,500; the industrial drainage project for $19,400; multi-purpose pathway for $76,000; a new playground at $83,000; and water and wastewater lines at campground for $43,273.

Mayor Ames Leslie said the town appreciates the province’s support through the MEEP program. He noted the arena improvements in particular will make it more comfortable in the venue and “toasty” for fans watching games, as well as ensure the facility is more energy efficient.

“I think it’s a great project. Anytime we can add money to improve our facilities, especially our hockey rink, it goes a long ways to make it more user friendly for now and into the future,” Leslie said.

In total the MEEP 2020 effort will provide $150 million to local municipalities in Saskatchewan to support infrastructure improvements, stimulate economic recovery and encourage local job growth. MEEP is part of the province’s two-year, $7-billion infrastructure boost to combat the effects of COVID-19 on the provincial economy and support recovery.

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angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW