Manitoba and the government of Canada announced that they would be spending more than $31.6 million on four infrastructure projects in the Berens River area.
$20.4 million in joint funding will go to repairing and rebuilding primary and secondary roads in and around the community. This will include more than 20 kilometres of on-reserve roads and 13 kilometres of provincial roads.
$5.6 million will be provided to fund the construction of a new arena/multiplex facility that will include a 37,200 sq-ft hockey rink and 5,500 sq-ft multi-purpose space.
$5.5 million has also been earmarked by the federal government to upgrade the Berens River First Nation water treatment plant. The upgrades will increase access to potable water and accommodate the long-term growth of the community.
“These investments in road improvements for the Berens River First Nation will increase safety on the roads and ensure a reliable network for the residents who rely on it every day. In addition, funding for the construction of an energy-efficient multiplex facility and for upgrades to the water treatment plant will help improve the health of the residents of the community. Today’s announcement is an example of what we can accomplish together for rural communities in Manitoba,” said The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister for PrairiesCan, Minister for CanNor, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.
The federal government is spending $26.7 million on these four projects. Manitoba’s contribution of $4.9 million will go toward the road construction project. Berens River First Nation is contributing $7.2 million.
