|
CHRISTINE
TELL MLA – Provincial Update – November 17, 2009 Domed
Stadium Feasibility Study Update The
feasibility study on building a domed all-weather entertainment facility
in Regina has reached its mid-way point following completion of extensive
stakeholder consultations. Minister
Ken Cheveldayoff noted that the prospect of building a domed facility in
Saskatchewan is complex and challenging. A multi-purpose facility that can
host football, soccer, trade shows, conventions, concerts, cultural and
community activities would provide economic and cultural benefits to both
Regina and Saskatchewan. In
July the Federal and Provincial Governments, the City of Regina and the
Saskatchewan Roughriders announced a $1 million joint investment to fund a
feasibility study into an all-season multipurpose entertainment facility
to be located in downtown Regina. The study is funded 40 per cent through
the Canada-Saskatchewan Western Economic Partnership Agreement (WEPA) via
Western Economic Diversification Canada; 40 per cent from the Province of
Saskatchewan; and 10 per cent each from the City of Regina and
Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club. The
study is expected to be complete by the end of January 2010. Two
consultants were contracted to complete the majority of work on the study
– Stadium Consultants International (SCI) to work on site
planning and preliminary design options, and Global Spectrum to
assist with the operational and facility business plan aspects of the
project, including the scope of opportunities for the facility as a
multi-purpose venue. PCL,
a construction company originating in Saskatchewan, but now operating
nationally, is working with SCI on the issues of construction and costing.
SCI
has provided the Advisory Committee with draft floor plans for a 33,000
seat facility that can be expanded to 45,000-50,000 seats. The draft plans
also include multiple roof options including a fully retractable roof
concept. Crown
Investments Corporation (CIC), the province’s representative on the
Advisory Committee, met with a wide variety of stakeholders ranging from
user groups and community groups right through to property owners and
private developers. A summary of these consultations will be included in
the final report. The
co-operation among the partners has been outstanding. The study is on
time, sharing information and working together to meet timelines
couldn’t be better. Also,
as part of the study, CIC is working with CP Rail to examine the details
of moving from their current site on Dewdney Avenue. CIC has been running
Requests for Expression of Interest ads in major Western Canada newspapers
to gauge developer interest level if the stadium project is approved. WORK
BEGINS ON REDUCING SURGICAL WAIT TIMES For
far too long, Saskatchewan people who needed surgery had to wait months,
maybe even years, to get their procedure. Not anymore. Acting
on our government’s bold new goal to reduce surgical waiting times to
three months or less, we have announced a surgical working group, made up
of representatives from the Ministry of Health, health regions and people
who provide healthcare. This group has asked to develop a plan
that will:
The
formation of the surgical working group is in response to the
recently-released Patients First report. Patients will soon be
added to this working group in order to ensure that the plan really does
put patients first. Charitable
Gaming Grants One
of the pleasant duties I have as Minister responsible for the Saskatchewan
Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) is announcing the charitable grants.
SLGA’s charitable gaming grant program provides funding to groups and
organizations that conduct charitable gaming including licensed bingos,
raffles, breakopen tickets, Texas Hold’em poker and Monte Carlo events.
The grant is equal to 25 per cent of the net revenues raised from these
activities. Last year SLGA paid more the $6.7 million in grants. In
the last quarter SLGA has provided more than $1.89 million to more than
1,000 groups across the province. This includes many groups that provide
service to or are based in Wascana Plains, including: the Zapovit
Ukrainian Folk Dance Ensemble from Emerald Park ($951.74); Pilot Butte
Buffalo Plains Ringette Association ($1,043.53); Canadian Diabetes
Association ($2,162.16); Navy League of Canada Regina Branch ($869.26);
Canadian Mental Health Association-Saskatchewan Division ($28,893.22);
Regina Ladies Softball Association ($1,402.67). Regina
Wine Store Opening On
November 3rd I officiated at the opening of Saskatchewan’s
second and Regina’s first specialty wine store, Willow Park Wines. The
store will carry about 1,000 wines, most of which are not stocked by
regular SLGA liquor stores, as well as a variety of other specialty
spirits from across the globe. Ken
Rasmussen, a professor from the University of Regina commented in a
special column to the Leader Post: “The opening of Regina’s first and
only specialty wine store, scheduled for early November, is certainly a
welcome development for all wine lovers in Southern Saskatchewan.
Saskatoon already has its first such store, Cava Secreta, which opened
this summer. These developments tell us two things. One is that the people
of Saskatchewan are developing sophistication regarding alcohol,
particularly wine. The other is that the government has implemented a
sound policy of compromise in an area that could have created substantial
and unnecessary conflict and polarization.” Green
is the Colour -Reusable Bags for SLGA Stores Those
shopping in SLGA liquor stores can now do their part to help the
environment and “Go Green” by carrying out their purchases in new
reusable bags, instead of using paper or plastic. SLGA stores are phasing
out the use of regular plastic bags, but will still offer paper bags to
customers. They will cost 97 cents, taxes included. This
initiative is another step by the Saskatchewan government to encourage
people to “Go Green,” much like SGI’s Green Rebate program and he
Saskatchewan EnerGuide for Houses Program. Information about other
initiatives is available on the Saskatchewan Go Green website (www.environment.gov.sk.ca/gogreen). Staying
in Touch I
appreciate the many opportunities to make a positive difference in our
constituency. Your phone calls, letters and emails make a big difference
in keeping me informed on the issues that matter to you. If
you would like to recognize anyone or have your event mentioned in this
newsletter, please don’t hesitate to contact me. _______________________________________________________________________________ This
newsletter is produced with the assistance of the Saskatchewan Party Caucus
Office. |
||
 |
 |
|