Nipawin Town Hall. (File photo/northeastNOW Staff)

By Aaron Schulze

Nipawin MEEP

Nipawin selects projects to receive MEEP funding, budget won’t be affected

Jun 4, 2020 | 1:19 PM

In May, it was unveiled that the Town of Nipawin would receive nearly $632,000 from the Government of Saskatchewan as part of the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP).

During a special meeting on Wednesday, June 3, Nipawin council settled on two projects they hope to be approved for the MEEP funding – the Gordon Lift Station replacement and storm sewer installation on Peters Drive. MEEP is part of the province’s $7.5 billion, two-year capital plan intended to assist Saskatchewan’s economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We wanted to impact mostly some jobs and constructions,” Mayor Rennie Harper said. “We are shovel ready with the two projects we prioritized with MEEP. The number one project is the Gordon Lift Station… it’s a project that we’ve been focusing on and needing for a very long time.”

Barry Elliott, Nipawin’s chief administrative officer, said the Gordon Lift Station is in poor condition.

“We have a pump system in there that [staff] maintain by raising and lowering it out of the manhole. Over time, that has been deteriorating,” Elliott said. “The whole lift station needs to be rebuilt and put back in service. It is hazardous and awkward for our staff. They are very capable in what they’re doing but we need to be cognizant that it needs to be repaired.”

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According to the town’s special council meeting agenda, the estimated cost of the Gordon Lift Station replacement is around $250,000. The town had previously committed $40,000 to it in Nipawin’s allocated budget. Although Elliott said town administration is still receiving the final cost of the projects before it gets sent to council and the province for final approval.

Elsewhere, council also approved to spend around $91,000 to replace Centennial Arena’s brine chiller after it failed as staff were doing annual service on it. Elliott said the funds are being taken out of the town’s 10-year machinery reserve and it, along with the MEEP projects, won’t affect the town’s 2020 property tax rate.

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aaron.schulze@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @SchulzePANow