KENORA, ON - The City of Kenora celebrated today the upgrading of the Kenora water distribution system. Greg Rickford, MP for Kenora, the Honourable Leona Dombrowsky, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and Len Compton, Mayor of the City of Kenora, are pleased to see this important infrastructure project nearly completed.
 
This project included the upgrading of the 400mm water main from the downtown core to the Norman Booster Station and the expansion of water and sewer utility services to new areas, to increase the reliability and capacity of the distribution system. The portion of the project to expand servicing to the Coney Island community will be completed next year.
 
The governments of Canada and Ontario each contributed up to $1 million in the project. The City of Kenora contributed the balance of the total eligible project cost of up to $3 million.
 
“Projects funded through Canada’s Economic Action Plan contribute to the improved quality of life of residents in communities across Canada,” said MP Rickford. “The Government of Canada is pleased to see the City of Kenora benefit from a safer and more reliable water distribution system.”
 
“We are pleased to participate in a project that protects public health by providing access to safe drinking water,” said Minister Dombrowsky. “Ontario’s success depends on projects which build strong communities, a strong economy and a healthy environment in rural Ontario”
 
“I am glad to be here today to join our federal and provincial partners to celebrate the completion of these important infrastructure upgrades,” said Mayor Compton. “Our combined efforts benefit residents in the communities of Tunnel Island, Norman and Keewatin by providing a stable and improved water supply. As part of this project going forward, Coney Island will also benefit by way receiving an upgraded sewer and water service to the Coney Island beach area next year.”
 
This project is one of more than 470 across the province that is moving forward thanks to a joint federal-provincial investment of more than $1 billion under the Building Canada Fund Communities Component. During these challenging economic times the governments of Canada and Ontario have taken steps to get shovels in the ground and invest money quickly in community infrastructure projects during the 2009 and 2010 construction seasons.