Canal announcement expected next week

SP Services

Published: Friday, August 22, 2008

Wakaw's watery dream appears to be about to come to fruition.

Provincial Environment Minister Nancy Heppner will be in the town next Thursday on behalf of Premier Brad Wall to make an announcement on the Wakaw canal.

A proposal to build a one-kilometre canal to link Wakaw lake to the town as part of a multi-million dollar resort development dates back to the late 1990s. Calls to the town office were not returned Thursday afternoon.

Town Coun. Steve Skowodro said he could not comment on the announcement, but said it's good news for the area.

In 2005, the canal was priced at $1.14 million.

The total project involved a hotel-spa-convention centre, golf course and marina and hinged on the participation of a private developer.

The total price tag at the time was $60 million, but there has been significant inflation around capital costs in recent years.

According to the project's business plan, the development is expected to provide roughly 200 direct jobs within the community and 300 indirect jobs in the surrounding area.

This is an ECONOMIC improvement so people can boat up to the local bar?