(Facebook/ Big River First Nation)

By Nigel Maxwell

Community projects

Big River First Nation receives green light for new arena project

Mar 9, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Plans for a new arena on the Big River First Nation, and upgrades to the local high school, have received a huge boost thanks to a funding announcement Tuesday by the federal and provincial governments.

Jim Carr, Special Representative for the Prairies, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Saskatchewan’s government relations minister Don McMorris, announced more than $33 million in joint funding for 26 projects in Saskatchewan. This included over $7.1 million for the construction of a new arena and associated amenities connected to the high school.

Another $2.3 million in funding will come from other sources. paNOW attempted to contact the community for comment, but no one was available to speak on Tuesday.

A number of other communities in the Prince Albert and Northern Region are also receiving funding: Northern Village of Denare Beach (expansion of outdoor ice surface), Resort Village of Big Shell (new playground), Town of Canwood (curling rink re-build) and the Town of Duck Lake (upgrades to Belle-A-Drome Hall, including roof replacement, kitchen area upgrades and addition of wheelchair accessible bathrooms).

Both levels of government have previously announced a shared priority to provide communities with reliable and sustainable infrastructure. To that end, the Government of Canada is investing more than $21 million in these projects through the Investing in Canada plan, and the Government of Saskatchewan is contributing more than $12 million.

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“The Government of Canada is taking decisive actions to help create jobs and support our economy,” Carr said in a press release.

“Our provincial government is proud to play a role in these infrastructure initiatives by investing more than $12 million that will help them move from the drawing board to reality,” McMorris said. “These projects improve the rural transportation system, water and recreation facilities, create jobs, improve quality of life and strengthen Saskatchewan.”

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell