April 9, 2008 - News

Gov't won't neglect inner-city needs despite Station 20 decision: Wall
Premier Brad Wall is promising to spend more money in Saskatoon's inner city despite his government's decision to pull funding to build a new multi-purpose centre in the area. "No one should doubt the resolve of this premier and this government to help those in the inner city deal with the issues that they face," said Wall at the Saskatchewan Party's annual leader's dinner in Saskatoon on Tuesday. Public opposition has been building since it was learned almost two weeks ago that $8 million promised by the former NDP government to help build Station 20 West was to be diverted to repair health-care facilities. The massive re-development of the inner city includes affordable housing and a new public library branch. Part of the plan includes a non-profit, multi-purpose facility to house centalized public services such as a dental clinic, a relocated West Side Community Clinic and some public health programs, as well as the Good Food Junction Co-op grocery store. When the government's decision to withdraw its portion of funding for the multi-purpose facility was made public, the premier dismissed the project as a "mall development."