Cuts coming to Meewasin Valley conservation organization

The Meewasin Valley Authority says cuts and program reductions are coming this yearand the future of the conservation organization hangs in the balance.

On Monday, CEO Lloyd Isaak wouldn't confirm any potential layoffs or building closures but he told CBC News that no increase in funding in the provincial budget last week means it will haveto make very difficult decisions in terms of programs and projects.

• How much money does Saskatchewan give Meewasin, Wascana?

"The consequence to the projects and programs were a result of a status quo budget," Isaak said. "We've been working with our board for a number of months to try and position Meewasin in the event that occurred and there will be some impacts on our programs and projects."

The organizationlooks after Saskatoon's riverbank trail system and runs education programs, hiking tours and nature walksout of the Beaver Creek Conservation Area. Recently it hasalso taken on the work involved in conserving the Northeast Swaleriver channelas the city continues to push its boundaries further out.

Last week the provincial government cut $540,000 in funding to five urban parks in Saskatchewan, and while those cuts didn't fall on Meewasin and Wascana Park, the government said they were reviewing the funding models to those major parks and everything was on the table.

• 5 urban parks lose $540K in provincial money, Meewasin and Wascana under review

Isaak said he was surprised to hear everything was on the table, and said that means the future of Meewasin is in more jeopardy if the province decides to pull its share of funding.

The shareaccounts for about 20per cent of itstotal budget.

"It's been difficult to determine with any certainty our short and long-term plans now that we have this uncertainty before us," Isaak said.

Despite the financial difficulties,Isaaksaidthe organizationwill continue to try and build trails in the city to respond to growth and to connect to new neighbourhoods, but added that it'snot going to come easy.

Just after the provincial budget, the organization proposed to widen a portion oftrails to six metres between the Mendel Art Gallery to just south of the Weir. That project is now on hold.

Mounting pressure from frozen funding

Isaak said the organization has been struggling for years with the level of funding itreceives,because the funding has been frozen for more than three decades.

The City of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan and the provincial government all contribute funding.

"When Meewasin was formed we were receiving $33 per person, per capita every year and just because of frozen budgets over the last 36 years essentially we're now down to $9.50 per capita and the city continues to grow," he said.

While the organization has gotten a numberof city and provincial grants, Isaak saidit's only basically allowed the organization to keep its head above water.

Isaak said an increase of about $400,000 to $500,000 this year would be enough to put the the authorityback on track.

Theorganization'sboard is holding a news conference Wednesday morning to discuss what programs and projects will be affected this year.