A water treatment facility at the Whitecap Dakota First Nation is set for expansion after provincial and federal funding was announced Friday.
Ralph Goodale, Canada’s minister of public safety and emergency preparedness, joined Jim Reiter, provincial government relations minister, and Whitecap Dakota Chief Darcy Bear to announce the $13.6-million expansion project.
"Modern and reliable infrastructure that meets the capacity needs of our communities is essential to safeguard the well-being of residents, protect our waterways and preserve our ecosystems,” Goodale said in a media release.
The project will see the First Nation’s water plant expanded and its wastewater handling capacity increased.
The provincial and federal governments will each cover $4.5 million of the total cost, with Whitecap Dakota covering the remainder.
Bear and both governments say the project will support a 200-home residential development near the Dakota Dunes golf course, a convention centre, a hotel and a 40-acre business park.
“This joint investment with our two partner governments reflects the confidence in our plan for future growth, which will generate another 300-plus jobs for the region and create a place for investing in new homes and new growth for Saskatchewan,” Bear said.
A call for tenders is the next step on the project’s agenda. The First Nation estimates a total of 20 months before the expansion is complete.
--- with files from CTV Saskatoon's Calvin To
