Saskatchewan and Ottawa fund 10 housing infrastructure projects

The federal and Saskatchewan governments will fund water, sewer and drainage work in 10 Saskatchewan communities, including Yorkton and La Ronge, the province said in an Oct. 13 release.

The release puts the joint investment in the 10 projects at more than $73.5 million. The money comes from the Canadian Housing Infrastructure Fund, or CHIF, under its Provincial-Territorial stream.

In Yorkton, the money supports the first phase of renewal at the city’s water pollution control plant. The release says the project could make room for the equivalent of 7,150 more housing units. Mayor Aaron Kienle said it is the largest grant the city has received.

In La Ronge, the town will extend its sanitary sewer along Bedford Drive and Louis Road with 860 metres of main. The release says that would enable about 124 housing units in two apartment buildings. Mayor Joe Hordyski said the town is also contributing money.

The other projects are:

• Shellbrook and Arcola: water treatment upgrades
• Estevan: wastewater expansion
• Swift Current: water system improvements
• Big River: water and sewer expansion
• Naicam: an infrastructure master plan
• Warman: flood mitigation and drainage
• Rural Municipality of St. Louis No. 431: a lagoon expansion study

Separately, the release says Ottawa is putting in $187.9 million through CHIF, and the province about $155 million, toward housing-enabling infrastructure priorities. The release does not say how those amounts relate to the $73.5 million for the 10 projects. The release gives no construction dates.