Municipal Affairs
July 15, 2009
Town of St. George's to
Benefit from
Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund
The Town of St. George's will undertake
repairs to seven existing sewage lift stations in the town's wastewater
system, thanks to funding of just under $667,000 through the
Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).
The funding was announced today by the Honourable Keith Ashfield,
Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA);
the Honourable Dianne Whalen, Minister of Municipal Affairs; and St.
George's Mayor Fintan Alexander.
"This will be of tremendous benefit to the community, as it will
eliminate the costs of annual repairs and it will also improve the
environment within the town itself," said Minister Ashfield. "Our
investment of just over $222,000 will allow the town to replace the
aging lift stations and ensure a safer, cleaner community."
"The installation of new equipment will improve efficiencies and
eliminate ongoing maintenance issues with an aging wastewater system,"
said Minister Whalen. "Our government is pleased to contribute over
$350,000 to strengthen municipal services for residents of St. George's,
and ensure they have access to modern, reliable services."
The Government of Canada is contributing $222,195 and the Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $350,257, while the Town of
St. George's will fund the balance of $94,132.
"The lift stations throughout the town have to be replaced, as they are
old and repairs are costly," said Mayor Alexander. "We have been
replacing the lift stations in phases, and this completes the first
three phases of the replacements. We are pleased to see the work
started, as the repairs were taking up funding that the town could have
used in other areas."
"I am very pleased with this announcement of funding for further
improvement of the wastewater system in the area," said the Honourable
Joan Burke, MHA for St. George's-Stephenville East. "The new sewage
treatment plant and upgrading of these aged lift stations will offer an
improved wastewater system for the community."
The Canada-NL MRIF Agreement is administered jointly by the Department
of Municipal Affairs on behalf of the Government of Newfoundland and
Labrador, and ACOA, on behalf of Infrastructure Canada.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
Doug Burgess
Director, Public Affairs
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
709-772-2935 |
Heather MacLean
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 697-4137
heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Mayor Fintan Alexander
Office of the Mayor
Town of St. George's
709-647-3283 |
Scott Locke
Executive Assistant, Honourable Joan Burke, MHA St.
George's-Stephenville East
709-729-0160
ScottLocke@gov.nl.ca
|
2009 07 15
11:05 a.m.
|