Water treatment plant upgrades in Sherridon are among three northern Manitoba projects announced Monday by the federal and provincial governments.
The New Building Canada Plan’s Small Communities Fund will also fund additional water lines in the RM of Kelsey near The Pas and a lagoon expansion in Wabowden.
According to the Winnipeg Free Press, the three projects are worth a total of $5.94 million – $2.98 million from the province, $1.98 million from Ottawa and $980,000 from the RM of Kelsey for the water line project.
“Partnering with our municipalities, as well as the Government of Canada, is allowing us to make big improvements in our infrastructure across the provinces,” said provincial Municipal Government Minister Drew Caldwell.
The RM of Kelsey project includes the expansion of water lines from the existing rural water pipeline system that provides drinking water to residents of Ralls Island.
The water line expansion will add approximately 250 connections to the existing infrastructure, providing them with reliable, treated drinking water.
“The Rural Municipality of Kelsey is thrilled with the announcement of funding for the rural water pipeline to the Ralls Island area,” said Reeve Rod Berezowecki, RM of Kelsey. “This project will provide safe drinking water to a significant number of RM of Kelsey residents, as well as First Nations residents.”
Support
Doug Dobrowolski, president of the Association of Manitoba Municipalities, said the organization was pleased to have representation on a committee that recommended which projects receive support from the Small Communities Fund.
“This announcement will allow municipalities to move forward in addressing their infrastructure needs,” he said.
The Small Communities Fund is
part of the $10-billion Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component of the New Building Canada Fund. It will provide $1 billion nationally for projects in municipalities with fewer than 100,000 residents to build projects that meet local needs.
Manitoba’s support for these projects is drawn from its $5.5 billion, five-year plan to invest in core infrastructure such as roads, bridges, water projects and flood protection.
