Infrastructure Works funding approved for Saskatoon's Alice Turner Branch Library

[CAWED]

DECEMBER 5, 1998

_INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS FUNDING APPROVED FOR SASKATOON’S ALICE
TURNER BRANCH LIBRARY_

_SASKATOON, Saskatchewan – Natural Resources Minister Ralph
Goodale and Saskatchewan Municipal Affairs, Culture and Housing
Minister Carol Teichrob today announced $50,000 in funding for
Saskatoon’s Alice Turner Branch Library under the
Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Works Program._

The _Infrastructure Works_ funding, equally shared by the federal and
provincial governments, is in support of a new 14,000 square foot
library facility that houses both the public area of the library and
the _Technical Services Department for the Saskatoon Library System_.
Named after _former Chief Librarian, Alice Turner_, the $2.5 million
facility will provide books, CDs, videos, cassettes, magazines and
newspapers, as well as access to the Internet.

"The opening of the impressive Alice Turner library provides a shining
example of the benefits of the Infrastructure Works Program," said
_Minister Goodale_, on behalf of _Ron J. Duhamel, Secretary of State
for Western Economic Diversification_ and minister responsible for
implementation of the infrastructure program in Western Canada. "Its
construction has increased both short- and long-term employment
opportunities, and it has revitalized Saskatoon’s infrastructure
foundation, improving the quality of life for residents, while
providing them with the tools to increase opportunities for future
economic growth."

"This infrastructure funding for the Alice Turner Branch Library is an
investment in people and communities," said _Teichrob_, Minister
responsible for the Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Works
Agreement. "Libraries strengthen our communities through their support
of the educational system, through their contribution to literacy
programs and as a source of life-long learning and entertainment."

"We are pleased that we have had the opportunity to construct a new
facility in the northeast area of the city," said _Zenon Zuzak,
director of Saskatoon Public Libraries_. "The infrastructure funding
will certainly help to offset the capital costs of the project. We are
grateful that both levels of government are supportive of the new
branch by way of the Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Works
Program."

_Phases One and Two of the Canada-Saskatchewan Infrastructure Works
Program_ are estimated to have created more than 6,000 short-term
jobs, while at the same time making essential improvements to
infrastructure throughout the province worth more than $360 million.

Federal funding for this initiative was provided for in the February
1998 budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
This project underlines the commitment of both governments to
establish spending priorities that will best serve the people of
Saskatchewan through efficient use of their tax dollars.