WHITEHORSE The Yukon government's 2005-06 capital budget includes a number of major projects in Whitehorse.
"Infrastructure investment is a major building block in our strategy to revitalize the Yukon economy and improve the lives of Yukoners," Glenn Hart, minister of community services and highways and public works said.
"This coming year will see improvements on the Whitehorse waterfront, airport improvements and the start of construction on the Canada Games athlete's village."
Waterfront
"The Yukon Government is looking forward to working with the City of Whitehorse on the waterfront project, which will provide jobs and be a place of enjoyment for residents and tourists for years to come," Hart said.
The budget includes $7 million to begin upgrading the waterfront to enable further development, including water, sewer and street improvements, upgrades to the Kishwoot Island suspension bridge and relocation and restoration of heritage buildings. Design work will continue, with public input, on other elements such as arts and culture facilities, dock improvements and the trolley extension.
Canada Winter Games
This is the second to last budget before the 2007 Canada Winter Games. Through the City of Whitehorse and the games host society, the Yukon government has committed $12.1 million for the athlete's village and $667,000 to assist with the increased cost of the multiplex in the 05-06 budget.
Whitehorse Airport
Over $2 million dollars will be spent on the Whitehorse International Airport to improve the baggage handling system, the customs facility, security, parking and runway surfaces.
An assessment of the baggage handling system demonstrated that the current system is old and causes delays for the traveling public; $100,000 will go toward system upgrades.
$1.5 million will be spent to expand the air terminal building to improve the customs facilities where agents process Yukon’s increasing number of international flights.
Canada-Yukon Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund
The Yukon government expects that more infrastructure projects will be announced later this year from the $32 million Canada-Yukon Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund.
This year, the Yukon government has budgeted $4 million with a matching federal contribution that makes a total of $8 million available. Whitehorse is expected to join all other Yukon communities in applying for project funding and announcements of approved projects are planned to start in June.
- 30 -
Contact:
Peter Carr
Cabinet Communications Advisor
(867) 667-8688
peter.carr@gov.yk.ca