(Submitted photo/Government of Saskatchewan)

By Elliott Knopp

Infrastructure Plan

Walking path between Flying Dust First Nation, Meadow Lake to be constructed

May 6, 2021 | 5:01 PM

The Government of Saskatchewan and the Canadian government have come together to fund several infrastructure projects across Saskatchewan, including a walking path that will connect the city of Meadow Lake with the community of Flying Dust First Nation.

The federal government is putting forward more than $1.7 million, supplemented by an additional $575,000 from the provincial government. The path will be formed of over three kilometres of asphalt walking path and almost two kilometres of concrete sidewalk.

This development comes as a part of joint-funded $50.2 million project that will see 55 infrastructural upgrades to various items across the province through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of Canada is covering more than $21.2 million for the upgrades while the Government of Saskatchewan is contributing nearly $16.4 million.

Meadow Lake Mayor Merlin Seymour believes the development with help strengthen the connection between the two communities and make travel safer for the community.

“This is joining our communities together,” Seymour told meadowlakeNOW. “We’re next door neighbours, so being joined by a walking path is beneficial to everyone. I think first and foremost, [it improves] the safety of the people that are walking, whether it be to or from Flying Dust and Meadow Lake. [It also allows people] to walk more on the proposed path and sidewalk as opposed to walking on the highway or streets.”

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In a press release, the Government of Saskatchewan claimed these investments will help improve the quality of life for residents and assist in accommodating the needs of growing communities while creating jobs.

Saskatchewan’s government relations minister Don McMorris claimed the investments would also help strengthen local economies.

“From Buffalo Narrows to Estevan, and dozens of communities in between the Government of Saskatchewan’s $16.4-million investment in these 55 local infrastructure projects will not only help protect local economies, which are continuing to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also help create safe, healthy and prosperous communities across the province,” McMorris said in a recent press release.

Seymour added City Council plans to review the proposed path at the next meeting on May 10.

meadowlakeNOW reached out to the office of Flying Dust First Nation, but community officials were unavailable to comment.

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elliott.knopp@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @ElliottKnopp