(File Photo/paNOW Staff)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Provincial Budget

‘It didn’t hurt us’: Dionne content with provincial budget

Mar 24, 2022 | 12:00 PM

Prince Albert’s mayor isn’t disappointed with the provincial budget.

Greg Dionne spoke with paNOW where he explained parts of the budget he sees benefitting the city.

The two projects getting the most support, according to Dionne, are the expansion and redevelopment of the Prince Albert Victoria Hospital and the new aquatic and arena centre.

The province is allocating $13.5 million in this year’s budget to cover procurement and design stages at the hospital.

“That’s exciting for us because we want to see that project get going,” said Dionne.

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He added he’s been told P.A. will get more ICU beds, but he’s unsure if the province will wait until the renovations are complete.

As for the aquatic and arena centre, the province will offer reimbursements to cover the $19.9 million they’ve promised for the project.

If the city doesn’t use all of it over the next 12 months, funding will carry over to the next fiscal year.

Meanwhile, Dionne noted there wasn’t anything specific he wished would be a part of this budget.

With everything the COVID-19 pandemic has done economically, he wouldn’t have been surprised if funding for these projects had been deferred.

Dionne added he understands the province is trying to balance its budget.

“That’s also a positive for the province and us.”

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow