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September 23, 2004
CENTENNIAL TO SHOW SASKATCHEWAN'S
SPIRIT
Saskatchewan's Centennial year is just
100 days away and the entire province is ready to
celebrate 100 years of heart.
Several initiatives were announced for
the province's centennial including a recognition
program, exciting marketing campaign, homecoming program
and song competition in front of thousands of flag- and
pompom-waving students and residents in Yorkton.
"Saskatchewan is an extraordinary place
to live, work and celebrate - and it's a place that's
best characterized by our people," Premier Lorne Calvert
said. "The Centennial anniversary allows us to take note
of how far we've come as a province and how much we've
contributed to Canada and the rest of the world."
A campaign was launched to promote
excitement about the Centennial and get Saskatchewan
people thinking about ways to celebrate or commemorate
the occasion.
"The theme 100 Years of Heart showcases
what makes Saskatchewan stand out - our people and our
enthusiasm for our home," Centennial Chair and Moose Jaw
North MLA Glenn Hagel said. "Many people are already
excited about the Centennial. Many projects are underway
to mark 2005 in communities right across the province."
The Saskatchewan Centennial Leadership
Award was announced, and is open to all
Saskatchewan-based, non-governmental organizations to
select two deserving recipients.
"The Centennial is a unique opportunity
for us to reflect with pride on our past accomplishments
and look forward with confidence and optimism in our
future," Hagel said. "This award will honour one
individual who has made a
lasting contribution to the history of an organization
in Saskatchewan's first century and another who will be
a leader in Saskatchewan's second century."
Of particular note to many communities
are events to bring back friends and relatives from
across Saskatchewan and across the globe.
"Reunions are a natural part of a
province's 100th anniversary," Tourism Saskatchewan
president and CEO Roy Anderson said. "The Homecoming
program will provide assistance to communities
interested in hosting a homecoming event and inviting
people back to the province and their communities to
join in the celebrations."
Also launched was a hunt for a song that
will capture the essence of Saskatchewan's history and
future in a contest that will be headed up by
Saskatchewan Express and sponsored by SaskEnergy.
In total, the Saskatchewan Centennial
2005 will have contributed $170 million from 1998 to
2006, in centennial programs and legacy projects
including the $128-million investment in capital
expenditures with the Centenary Fund, $20-million
allocation through the Community Initiatives Fund and
$21.6 million earmarked for recognition programs,
community-based initiatives, commemorative celebrations
and centennial promotions. The Saskatchewan Centennial
2005 also spent $400,000 through the Anniversaries
Secretariat preparing the province for its 100th
anniversary. Crown Investments Corporation (CIC), on
behalf of the Crown sector, provided a special dividend
of $5 million to the budget. Of that amount, $3 million
came from SaskTel and $2 million was redirected from the
Our Future is Wide Open campaign.
"Saskatchewan's Centennial is building
an even stronger tomorrow for our province," Hagel said.
"Through the support we've already heard from talking
with Saskatchewan people, we expect the impact of the
Centennial year to have a ripple effect for many years.
There are many more exciting announcements to come as we
mark this special anniversary."
Additional information on Saskatchewan
Centennial 2005 is available online at
www.sask2005.ca.
For More Information, Contact:
Chris Shauf
Saskatchewan Centennial 2005
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-1254
Cell: (306) 530-5775
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