Colin Dewar; Moose Jaw Times Herald

The federal and provincial governments are delivering $23.5 million to Moose Jaw for the multiplex.

“It feels really good to announce the partnership between the province and the federal government, “ said Ray Boughen, Conservative Member of Parliament for Palliser. “These two governments have pulled together for a very worthwhile project.”

Boughen and MLA for Moose Jaw North, Warren Michelson announced funding for the project at the Temple Gardens Mineral Spa on Saturday.

Mayor Dale McBain told the Times-Herald the city had applied for $15 million from the Building Canada Fund, which is a joint program between the federal and the provincial governments.

“We know that the $15 million will be coming from (the Building Canada Fund). Exactly what that make up is we’ll see that in the next little while, but for sure we will have $23.5 million from both levels of government,” said McBain.

According to McBain $23.5 million is an unheard of amount of money for a single project in Saskatchewan. “For our city it’s just unbelievable and it vindicates the fact that we stuck to course,” said McBain.

The $23.5 million total is more from the two governments than the city had planned. For the $61.3 million project, the city had originally planned to spend $34.5 million of its own, receive $10 million in fundraising from corporations and the public, and $8.4 million each from the provincial and federal governments. Saturday’s commitment is $7.7 million beyond what the city had anticipated.

Boughen was pleased Ottawa has recognized the importance of this project for the community, that it will help stimulate the local economy and that it will be something youth, seniors and all Moose Jaw citizens can enjoy.

“The $23.5 million is a sizable amount to place into any one project and we are very appreciative of both levels of government, that saw their way clear to do that,” said Boughen.

McBain said it was a great day for Moose Jaw and to have the money from Ottawa’s Building Canada Fund. ”It’s been awhile coming. We were always confident we were going to have the (fund) come through for us,” said McBain.

The city can start looking at putting out tenders and it will be looking at demolition on the site over the next week or so. “I am hoping the next time that (Boughen), (Michelson) and I get together we’ll have the golden shovel in the ground. I am looking forward to that,” said McBain.