La Loche, seen here, received $406,000 while Pinehouse received $154,000. (submitted photo/Tourism Saskatchewan)

By Derek Cornet

economic recovery

MEEP funding exceeding $1 million arrives in northern Sask.

Aug 28, 2020 | 2:00 PM

More than $1 million is flowing into northern Saskatchewan thanks to the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP).

In the most latest round of funding this week, communities such as Beauval, Cumberland House, La Loche and Pinehouse Lake received the majority of the funding coming to the region. In total, $150 million will be distributed through MEEP to support investments in infrastructure to stimulate economic recovery and encourage local job creation.

Beauval was given $92,000 for work at the local arts and cultural centre, as well as basketball nets for the community gym, while Cumberland House received $114,000 for culverts and streetlights. La Loche took most of the funding this round with $406,000 to pay for a grader, gravel truck, waste water high pressure flusher, mini backhoe and a skid steer. Pinehouse was given $154,000 to build a commercial kitchen and hall revitalization.

“We’re using part of the MEEP program and we’re also using some capital,” Pinehouse Mayor Mike Natomagan said. “We have some of our own money as well. It’s going to cost us about $800,000 for a good, major lift. That comes in handy the MEEP program.”

The hall set to be renovated was built in 1980 and is the main gathering spot for residents in the community. There have been some renovations throughout the years, but Natomagan noted this will be the first major overhaul. It will also include upgrades to the electrical and plumbing infrastructure.

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Natomagan explained the hall is used for many purposes, but residents would like to start doing more training in the building. He said having a modern facility will also assist in bringing culture back to those who live in the area. There is no timeline set for when construction will begin.

“We’re waiting on the other proposals we have done up, and then we’re also working with an engineering group out of Saskatoon who will guide us through this process,” Natomagan said.

An additional $140,000 is also being spend on a variety of projects in the Northern Saskatchewan Administrative District. In Ramsey Bay, $48,000 will be spent on recreation and disaster mitigation, $24,000 will be spent at Whelan Bay for road work and the lagoon, $10,000 is going to East Trout Lake for road gravel, $18,000 will be spent at the Sturgeon Weir to mitigate flooding and Jan Lake will receive $20,000 for road upgrades.

Just outside of La Ronge, Napatak was approved for $20,000 for road work, gravel and lagoon access.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno