Released on March 19, 2014
The 2014-15 Budget includes record capital and maintenance spending for provincial parks, as well as strong investments in arts, culture and heritage and third parties.Funding to provincial parks will increase by 4.6 per cent this year. This includes capital and maintenance spending, which will hit record levels with $14.9 million for upgrades and new construction projects.
This investment builds on strong capital investments over the past several years. Over the past six years, approximately $8.6 million has been invested in the construction or renovation of new public service centres and $10.2 million into campground electrical system expansion and upgrades.
Total capital investments in provincial parks have increased 244 per cent in the past seven years, compared to the previous seven-year period.
“One of the advantages of our growing province is our ability to invest in improving the quality of life for people who make Saskatchewan their home,” Parks, Culture and Sport Minister Kevin Doherty said. “Saskatchewan provincial parks continue to set new visitation records. We are both managing the growth and improving the visitor experience every time we make investments into parks.”
Provincial parks set an attendance record of 3.7 million visits in 2013. As well, Great Blue Heron Provincial Park was designated in the summer of 2013 – the first new provincial park to open in nearly 20 years.
Government also continues to build on strong investments in arts, culture and heritage.
Funding to the Saskatchewan Arts Board has increased 8.0 per cent over the past two years (5.0 per cent in 2013-14 and 3.0 per cent in 2014-15).
Budget 2014-15 provides $7.7 million to Creative Saskatchewan, which was created in 2013 to assist in marketing the works of all creative industries.
Funding remains stable for artsVest™ Saskatchewan ($250,000 in 2014-15) as well as Main Street ($550,000 in 2014-15), programs that leverage significant private sector investment to create strong, vibrant communities.
artsVest™ began as a two-year pilot program, with a total provincial investment of $500,000. That was matched by federal funding, and then leveraged private sector investment, to ultimately result in more than $2.4 million of financial support for the arts and culture sector. In May 2013, artsVest™ was extended for another two years with renewed federal and provincial funding.
Main Street was launched in April 2011, as a three-year, $1.65 million demonstration program in Wolseley, Indian Head, Maple Creek, and Prince Albert. The program contributed to: 41 new jobs in Main Street districts, 21 new businesses in Main Street districts, and $2.73 million in private sector commitments to historic building rehabilitation and streetscape improvements – a 10 to one return on the province’s investment in capital projects.
Overall spending in arts, culture and heritage has increased 39 per cent in the past seven years, compared to the previous seven-year period.
“With the growth Saskatchewan is experiencing we are able to make investments in arts, culture and heritage,” Doherty said. “These investments have not only improved the quality of life for residents and communities, they have also resulted in increased economic activity and private sector spending. These are smart investments that support the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth.”
Recently, government renewed the historic lottery agreement for an unprecedented five year extension benefitting sport, culture and recreation organizations.
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For more information, contact:
Jennifer Johnson
Parks, Culture and Sport
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0619
Email: jennifer.johnson@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-529-5805