The federal and provincial governments, along with the city of Saskatoon, have announced more than $102 million in joint funding for 11 green infrastructure and COVID-19 resilience projects.
The green projects include upgrades to drinking water and wastewater systems, improvements to solid waste management, sidewalk expansion, and a new solar power plant.
Three projects are receiving funding under the new COVID-19 Resilience Stream. Meewasin Trail Enhancements will increase the capacity and accessibility of the Meewasin trail network. The Kinsmen Riverfront, Downtown Core, Southwest and River Heights sectors will all be expanded, and new equipment will be added to increase visitor safety and comfort.
Meewasin’s Board Chair, Colin Tennent, says the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light a number of extremely important improvements needed to outdoor infrastructure in the region and along the Meewasin Trail. “Meewasin recorded almost two-million visits in 2020, seeing increased usage during the pandemic. Sections planned here have seen some of the highest increase in demand in the past year.” Amy Wall from Meewasin says this will include water accessibility, stairs and accessibility ramps, benches, trashcans and changes to grading. Those enhancements are expected to be completed by the end of 2021.
Mayor Charlie Clark says these investments in Saskatoon infrastructure will make the city safer, more healthy and more resilient. Clark adds these are all projects that will create jobs and improve quality of life and the core services that citizens rely on. Regarding the new solar plant, Clark says there is an undevelopable plot of land, adjacent to Circle Drive and just north of the Gordie Howe Bridge, that has been proposed for a utility scale solar plant. “It would both high profile, a place we could do research and experimentation similar to the solar research project that we have in conjunction with Sask Polytechnic, that is right now by the landfill gas-capture site. This is a huge opportunity for us with this Federal funding, to drive forward with this opportunity, work with partners in the industry and in the community, and see solar expansion both in terms of providing renewable power into the grind and also building our research and development capacity.”
Taxpayers, through the Government of Canada, are providing more than $41.1 million for these 11 projects. Taxpayers, through the Government of Saskatchewan, are providing more than $34.3 million. And, through the City of Saskatoon, taxpayers are providing $25.8 million.
