A number of Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) projects were announced in Saskatchewan last Thursday.
One of those projects is in Kinistino as they look to construct a community centre in the town. The government release announced $4,282,472 from the provincials and federal governments to help with the project. The town would contribute at least $1,557,528.
The new community centre would house the town office, a new legion room, a stage, some rental hall space, daycare facilities, and potentially even a medical clinic. Mayor Mark Powalinsky said it’s a project that’s needed to keep events in Kinistino.
“We’ve had celebrations, events, and festivities go to neighbouring communities that do have larger facilities, either that or better equipped or more accessible,” Powalinksy said. “So, it’ll be wonderful to have those celebrations happen right here in Kinistino.”
He said the project first got some steam behind it about two years ago after the town received some other private money for a project like this. Then, it was former mayor, the late Leonard Margolis who applied for the funding in 2020.
Powalinsky added when they received the approval, it said the project was an “ultimate recipient.”
“Kinistino is an ultimate recipient when you look at the size of the funding that has been made available to this project and the nature of the project,” he said. “So, we’re very excited about that.”
The community centre would also serve as a field hospital if the need were to arise, as well as an evacuation centre if needed.
As for a location, the community centre would essentially replace the current legion, and Powalinsky said a portion of the legion would be demolished, but there is a party who is interested in moving on section of the building to a different location.
The Kinistino Legion building currently sits where the proposed community centre would be built. (Google Maps)There’s no concrete timeline at the moment, but Powalinsky said they do need to use the funding by the end of December 2022. He added it likely will cost a bit more than the proposed amount due to the increase in construction costs since the application was filed.
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mat.barrett@pattisonmedia.com
On Twitter: @matbarrett6
