Yorkton鈥檚 Logan Green pathway system is among some 55 projects across the province to receive more than $50.2 million in infrastructure funding from a joint provincial-federal program.聽
The projects are funded under the new COVID-19 Resilience Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.
"We are very pleased that our Logan Green Pathway improvement project has been accepted as part of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program,"聽City of Yorkton Mayor Mitch Hippsley said.聽 "Having the participation of both the federal and provincial governments in funding this important multi-use pathway project will enable it to get underway this spring.聽 聽
鈥淥nce complete it is expected to greatly increase use and improve access to our city's largest and best recreational area."聽
The Logan Green pathway project will upgrade roughly two kilometers in length聽
The City will be retrofitting and upgrading the existing gravel pathway to asphalt, as hard surface pathways support different modes of human powered wheeled transportation options such as roller blades, wheelchairs, skateboards and strollers.聽
In addition, the project will see the installation聽of聽solar lights every 35 metres along the pathway to ensure public safety and comfort, particularly during the winter months when daylight hours are much shorter.聽聽聽聽聽
The total project cost will be $884,835, with the聽federal government聽investing $353,934, the province chipping in聽$295,916, and the聽City supplying $235,985.聽聽
The pathway is part of Yorkton鈥檚 growing active transportation network, which provides residents an opportunity to choose self-powered transportation to access services in our community, noted material from the City,聽
鈥淭he Logan Green pathway will also provide an improved connection to our community soccer fields, community gardens, memorial tree park and cemetery as well as other recreational pathways,鈥� it stated.聽
The funding for the Yorkton project and others is important said Jim Carr, the Government of Canada's Special Representative for the Prairies in a release.聽
"Through collaboration with our provincial and municipal partners, we are funding important infrastructure projects throughout Saskatchewan," he noted.聽 "With the COVID-19 Resilience Stream, we are also responding to the impacts of the pandemic through flexible and accelerated investments in key infrastructure upgrades as quickly as possible.聽The funding announced today will help communities build back better, create jobs, and build cleaner, more inclusive communities."聽
"From Buffalo Narrows to Estevan, and dozens of communities in-between the Government of Saskatchewan's $16.4-million investment in these 55 local infrastructure projects will not only help protect local economies, which are continuing to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also help create safe, healthy and prosperous communities across the province," Saskatchewan's聽Government Relations Minister Don McMorris said in the release.聽
Providing communities with reliable and sustainable infrastructure is a shared priority for both governments.聽The Government of Canada is investing more than $21.2 million in these 55 projects.聽For projects requiring consultations with Indigenous groups, funding is conditional on all consultation requirements being met.聽 聽
The Government of Saskatchewan is also contributing over $16.4 million toward these projects. Contributions by recipients toward their respective projects are $12.5 million.
