NEWS RELEASE - Historic Funding Announcement Marks Major Milestone for Yorkton's Wastewater Treatment Plant Renewal

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Historic Funding Announcement Marks Major Milestone for Yorkton's Wastewater Treatment Plant Renewal

 YORKTON, SK, October 13, 2026 – The City of Yorkton is celebrating a historic milestone following today's announcement of $50 million in joint federal and provincial funding for Phase 1 of the Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) Renewal Project.

The announcement was made by the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development; the Honourable Lori Carr, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Seniors and Rural and Remote Health; and Mayor Aaron Kienle at the H.M. Bailey Water Pollution Control Plant.

Also in attendance were Yorkton MLA David Chan and the Honourable Sean Wilson, Minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement and Minister Responsible for the Global Transportation Hub Authority.

The funding, provided through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), represents the largest grant ever received by the City of Yorkton and will allow construction to begin on the headworks component of a renewed wastewater treatment facility at the H.M. Bailey Water Pollution Control Plant.

The City has been planning, designing and advocating for the renewal project since 2017. Today's announcement marks a major milestone in that work and allows the City to move from years of planning into construction.

The project is the largest infrastructure project in Yorkton's history and marks a significant step toward ensuring the community has the wastewater treatment capacity needed to support future residential, commercial and industrial growth.

“This is a significant day for Yorkton,” says Mayor Aaron Kienle. “This funding represents the largest grant our city has ever received and allows us to begin the Water Pollution Control Plant Renewal Project, the largest infrastructure project in Yorkton’s history. We’re incredibly grateful to the federal and provincial governments for their investment and for recognizing the importance of this project to our community. There is still more work ahead, but today is a major step forward and one worth celebrating.”

As Yorkton continues to grow, renewing the wastewater treatment plant is essential to supporting future housing development, economic growth and long-term community sustainability.

Today's announcement provides the funding needed to begin Phase 1 of the project, including construction of the new headworks facility at the H.M. Bailey Water Pollution Control Plant.

The funding commitment includes:

• $20 million from the Government of Canada
• $16.67 million from the Government of Saskatchewan
• $13.33 million from the City of Yorkton

Once completed, the upgrades will increase treatment capacity, improve environmental performance and help protect Yorkton Creek and the broader Assiniboine Watershed. The project will also create the infrastructure capacity needed to accommodate future residential, commercial and industrial development in Yorkton.

The Water Pollution Control Plant Renewal Project is expected to cost approximately $343 million and remains the largest infrastructure project in Yorkton's history. While today's announcement allows the City to move forward with construction of Phase 1, work will continue to secure support and funding for future phases of the overall renewal project.

The City appreciates the support of the federal and provincial governments and their recognition of the importance of this project to Yorkton and the surrounding region. The funding allows the City to move from years of planning and advocacy into construction and represents a major step toward building the infrastructure needed to support future growth and development.

The City also recognizes the efforts of City Council, Administration and community partners who have helped advance the project over the past several years. The City further acknowledges local industries, including LDC, Richardson and Harvest Meats, whose investments in pretreatment infrastructure have helped extend the life of the existing wastewater treatment facility while long-term renewal planning was underway.

Construction activities related to Phase 1 are expected to proceed following procurement and project mobilization activities.

 Quick Facts

 The Water Pollution Control Plant Renewal Project has been a City priority since 2017.

• The $50 million CHIF investment is the largest grant in the City of Yorkton's history.
• The project is the largest infrastructure project in Yorkton's history.
• Phase 1 includes construction of a new headworks facility at the H.M. Bailey Water Pollution Control Plant.
• The total anticipated project cost is approximately $343 million.
• Funding includes $20 million from the Government of Canada, $16.67 million from the Government of Saskatchewan and $13.33 million from the City of Yorkton.
• The project will support future housing, economic development and long-term growth in Yorkton.
• The project will improve wastewater treatment capacity and environmental outcomes while helping protect Yorkton Creek and the Assiniboine Watershed.

 Learn More

To learn more about the Water Pollution Control Plant Renewal Project, including project background, planning details and ongoing updates, visit the City's project page:

Water Pollution Control Plant Renewal Project

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Media Contact:

Erin Gulyas

Communications Manager

City of Yorkton, P.O. Box 400 Yorkton, SK S3N 2W3

Treaty 4 Territory and Homeland of the Métis

Ph: 306.621.2199