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Saskatchewan’s premier is asking the federal government to help finance event centre projects in Saskatoon, Prince Albert and North Battleford.
According to the provincial government, Premier Scott Moe has written to Gregor Robertson, Canada’s federal housing minister, seeking funding for the Downtown Event and Entertainment District (DEED) in Saskatoon, the Prince Albert Convention and Cultural Centre and the Battlefords Arena and Event Centre through Ottawa’s Build Communities Strong Fund.
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The provincial government said it is prepared to match the federal contributions to the projects up to a maximum of a third of the eligible project costs.
“These infrastructure projects reflect shared priorities between Saskatchewan and Canada, including economic growth and community resilience,” Moe said in a statement.
“We encourage the federal government to work with Saskatchewan and these municipalities to bring these transformational investments to life.”
The provincial government said the proposed projects will “deliver significant regional and provincial benefits” and will improve economic development, increase opportunities for housing and tourism and provide space that could be used to support relief efforts during natural disasters or emergencies.
While provincial participation is not a requirement under the fund, the Government of Saskatchewan said its commitment to matching Ottawa’s contributions demonstrate the province’s confidence that the projects will support community development and boost economic activity in the three regions.
Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block said the provincial partnership was a critical step towards making the DEED project come to life.(Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)
The estimated cost of Saskatoon’s downtown arena project is roughly $1.6 billion, and Mayor Cynthia Block described the project as “transformational.”
“This investment reflects a shared understanding of what the Downtown Event and Entertainment District can mean for Saskatoon, a multi-generational city-building initiative that will strengthen our economy, support housing and downtown growth, attract major events and conventions, and make the most of existing infrastructure,” Block said, quoted in a statement from the provincial government.
“We look forward to working with both the province and the Government of Canada to bring this vision to life.”
Block said the provincial partnership is an “enormous” and critical step towards making the project come to life.
However, she said she does not foresee a way forward without the federal government’s involvement.
“This is about making sure that we have solid economic footing and can be competitive today and well into the future,” she said.
Saskatoon also recently approved talks to explore a potential partnership on the arena project with the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation.
Minister of Advanced Education Ken Cheveldayoff said while the cost of the DEED is “substantial,” the cost of projects such as these will not get any cheaper.
He pointed to Mosaic Stadium in Regina, stating that while the $282 million put towards the project was substantial at the time, today the project would cost double.
“We did the right thing with Mosaic I believe we’re doing the right thing here today,” he said.
The Battlefords Regional Arena and Events Centre, meanwhile, comes with an estimated price tag of $94 million.
“The Battlefords Regional Arena and Events Centre is a strategic infrastructure investment for northwest Saskatchewan, supporting long-term social, recreational, economic, and emergency preparedness needs,” North Battleford Mayor Kelli Hawtin said in a statement shared by the province.
“Beyond its significant economic impact, this essential community infrastructure will support growth by attracting residents, encouraging housing development and investment, and will aid as a tool to recruit and retain healthcare professionals, educators, skilled tradespeople, businesses, and industry.”
The Prince Albert Convention and Cultural Centre has already benefited from $15 million in federal funding, though the project has a total cost of $130 million.
“This investment reflects a shared belief in the potential of our city and the future of northern Saskatchewan,” Bill Powalinsky, Prince Albert’s mayor, said in a statement shared by the Saskatchewan government.
“This commitment moves us one step closer to creating a welcoming space that will serve residents, Indigenous partners, businesses, visitors, and communities across northern Saskatchewan for generations to come – a place we’re proud to call home.”
— with files from 650 CKOM’s Mia Holowaychuk
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