City asking feds for money to repair roads

The City of Moose Jaw is making another application for funding from the same federal program that is aiding in the construction of the multiplex project.

However, this time the application is for repairing local roads.

During Monday's council meeting, council approved an administration recommendation to submit a Building Canada Fund (BCF) application for federal/provincial funding towards local pavement rehabilitation.

At a media conference at Temple Gardens Mineral Spa on May 2, Palliser MP Ray Boughen and Moose Jaw North MLA Warren Michelson announced the governments' commitment of more than $23.5 million. Of that amount, $15 million came from the BCF.

Ryan Johnson, city engineer, said funding for the multiplex project was approved under an earlier phase of BCF and the city can still make two applications for the next phase of projects to be considered for funding approval.

The city is already applying for funding to build a water supply line to the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant. On Monday, council approved another application to get money for the roadway rehabilitation project, which (if approved) would tend to approximately 100 city blocks of roadway - about eight per cent of Moose Jaw's entire transportation network.

The rehabilitation program would be set for 2010 and cost $3.4 million. Through the BCF, council hopes to split the project cost evenly between the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government, with each level paying $1.2 million of the cost.

Applications for BCF are due May 15. If the city doesn't receive rehabilitation funding, City Manager Garry McKay said the city would still conduct road rehabilitation. However, it would spend about a third as much as the city hopes to if the BCF application is approved.

Coun. Brian Swanson voted in favour of making the application. However, first he asked why the rehabilitation program for which the city would request funding is next year's, rather than this year's.

Johnson said the city already awarded a contract for this year's rehabilitation program and that means the project would not quality for BCF. The only person who didn't vote on the matter was Mayor Dale McBain, who was on holidays and absent from Monday's meeting.

Carter Haydu can be reached at 691-1265.

Emmy: - September 18th, 2009 at 18:07:06

lol Did the city spend to much on the darn multiplex that we can't afford to fix the streets :( we all knew that would happen but putting priorities in the wrong order. When, is the question of the streets being done?? Are they going to fix everyone's vehicle too, they better get a lot more money... cause by the time the streets get fixed they'll be so damaged or everyone will get into a vender bender cause of swerving out of the way of the pot holes, can we send our bills of repairs to the city??? I wish :)

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Clifford: - September 18th, 2009 at 18:06:47

I think this shows our City Council moving in a forward motion. We need money for Pot Hole mash like any other city and this is a great way to bring the price down! Great job and lets show the rest of Saskatchewan what Moose Jaw is about and the sooner the better!

B: - September 18th, 2009 at 17:34:07

Good luck Tara, New roads and water pipeline funding, I think not. Our lust for Fed Gov't. money has been exhausted on the downtown Duplex and the soccer tent. Dale's priority shift comes too late, Not even Ray, can save him from crashing.

Pro-Gress: - September 18th, 2009 at 17:00:49

What?? Another application?? Cave won't have it! See all of you in court!! Progress will not be allowed in this city!!

Wow: - September 18th, 2009 at 16:53:57

No personal agenda at all. I can clearly see you intended this all to be for the good of the city. Now I totally understand. I am afraid that I have read your posts time and time again on many different issues and none of them are correcrt. The MJ forum was a joke as post after post was deleted and people were kicked out for ridiculous reasons. I recall a certain individual speaking technically on these projects and he was called an insider and booted... simply because he was educated in the matter and had some insight to offer... it just turned you it wasn't the insight that forum was looking for.

Sorry, but you beaked this entire time and not one of the things you have said has been correct. Nothing.
Closing that school was the smart decision. It is that simple. Schools are closing everywhere and if one had to go that is the one that made sense so why fight it like you did. Many of the students were already bused so it made sense to re route the bus rather than change the entire dynamics of the city. Also, no room for future expansion of population on that side of town. Simply put the number was never going to go back up. EVER.

Anyway, all that is beside the point. The fact is this article is great news for MJ and they have not been turned down due to the MP and the River Street Project is going to be successful and will employ alot of MJ citizense which I think is a great thing also. Not to mention the Spa/Casino unveileing which I might add didn't happen until council approved the building. Once again I sat in and listened to the announcement on that night my friend. It was announced and shortly after a rep stood and spoke and announced a hefty donation far more than the 50 000 you keep claiming is all they have or whatever the figure. It was far more than that as was the figure from the Montgomery's in the little chicago development. Yet you can't see past your nose and deny any of those donations.

The point is they have the money, they have the BEST location, they have the backing of the majority of the city and now they have the external funding to do the project.

It is time to move on and support the growth of the city.

That SIMPLE....

Gary: - September 18th, 2009 at 16:50:31

Oh Wow from Sask

I can't recall whether this story ran in the Times or DiscoverMooseJaw.com

Debate Ends in Tabling Motion, July 11, 2006

Council has tabled their motion from two weeks ago to locate the multiplex at the current site of the Civic Centre and to only include a curling rink and hockey arena.

After a lengthy and often heated debate at Moose Jaw City Hall Monday night, Council decided more information was needed before a decision of this magnitude could be made on location for the project.

MultiPlex Builders Co-chair Ray Boughen criticized council members Monday night for their inability to commit to the project financially. Anything that we've done, we've done with the good will of this community, the good will of trades people, and the good will of professional people in helping us build this facility.

City Council ladies and gentlemen have not put a nickel on the table!

After 2 hours of debate the motion was tabled for further discussions pending reports from administration. When it might come up again depends on how long those reports will take. Until then further discussions will be held on where the best site for the facility and what should be included.

When asked if the MultiPlex Builders would support a project built at the Civic Centre location, Co-chair Dr. Paul Beesley said it would depend. If the Civic Centre site is the preferred site or is a deal breaker I guess it would depend on what's included.

If its just a curling rink and a hockey rink I have trouble that the group that we've been working with would be interested in raising funds for that.

Oh really Mr. Beesly

The MultiPlex Builders are not happy with that idea since they are pushing for what they call a true multiplex to include an indoor soccer pitch and walking track along with the hockey arena and a curling rink.

My oh my how things have changed. What are we building now a Dual Location Recreational Facility.

What a bunch of clowns lol

Tara: - September 18th, 2009 at 16:31:36

Finally!!! I'm so excited for the new roads! Now I can stop worrying bout swerving around potholes and getting my car fixed all the time!
And for the water at buffalo, great job!

Chad: - September 18th, 2009 at 16:27:21

'Wow'- Why don't you make a real comment about the story here and stop picking on individuals just because you have a pet peeve or a beef with them? Honestly, let's stop being childish here.

On a side note, you say they 'raised the money'....who raised what? I only see a meesly $50K or so that was actually 'raised' in the bank. If you don't count those donations that were definitely not attributable to anyone's help on the part of the Multiplex Builders. I think $50K of $10M(or now apparently they promised $11.1M), is not quite 'meeting expectations'.

Yes, they got the federal and provincial funding, which quite honestly, was very doubtful that it would happen. I have already stated previously that I am glad they got it, and hope they put it to full use.

As for any beefs I have with a particular individual, that has nothing to do with this article, nor did it have anything to do with SAVING MY CHILDREN'S SCHOOL. Why are people like you so thick headed that they think just because someone tries to help out a community, that they are out to get someone? I tried helping not only the Ross School issue, but Saskatchewan schools as well. What you think of that, I could care less. But, maybe you should try to pick a battle that actually makes sense.

Economic spinoff you say? Hmmmm. River Street development....going ahead BEFORE Multiplex was even confirmed. Casino/Spa expansion....that's their business decision. That is no new business, nor will it 'boom the Moose Jaw economy'. It is simply a business decision, that should be meeting market demand. Again, all before the Multiplex was confirmed. I know that for a fact. How I know is none of your business, though.

They will beautify the downtown? How does placing a state of the art facility smack dab in the middle of 100 year old buildings, 'beautify' the area? To me, that is going to stand out like a sore thumb, and if anything, it will detract from what COULD be a very vibrant, heritage style area of town. (If they weren't so dammed happy with tearing down the heritage buildings!)

Wow: - September 18th, 2009 at 16:20:01

Chad, no point in even discussing anything. You were 150% wrong in ever single thing you said about the MP with the exception of possible parking issues.

Simply put you have nothing constructive to offer anyone in this city. No point in even yapping. You were wrong and you word and opinion means absolutely nothing.

They raised the moeny you said they didn't and couldn't.
They got the feds and Prov money you said they never would and couldn't
They got the land and will build a beautiful facility and MJ will be a better place for it.
They have had economic spinoff with much more to follow once the facility is built and in use. You said no economic spinoff would come due to a facility like this. Well sir I beg to differ. They have clearly announced a huge expansion to the downtown hotel casino, they have also had huge investment dollars invested into a run down River street. All in all the entire downtown core is going to be rebuilt and rejuvenated.

Pro gress is a scary thing I suppose that is why you fight it at every turn.

Actually, I believe it was just the hate you had towards Ray Boughen. As you lost your long and wasted battle to keep Ross school open. So you had to blame someone and why not him. Once he was on board with the MP builders you started your false tales crusade and tried to run this project into the ground. Why because you didn't like the guy that was leading the charge. Too bad really.

Chad: - September 18th, 2009 at 16:07:20

YAY CITY COUNCIL for getting your priorities set up right this time!!!!!

Well...I mean, at least you are applying for money for something that should be done without question. I guess showing your priorities is putting it a little far, since you apparently feel a sporting arena trumps good roads. But...yeah.

FINALLY!!! A smart decision by the current council!!! Sorry guys, one decision too late though. Have fun in retirement Fab 5!!!