Health Minister Jim Reiter announced last week an investment of 17.8 million dollars in health facility maintenance and upgrade projects across Saskatchewan.

These projects are part of the Government of Saskatchewan's 7.5 billion dollar two-year capital plan to build a strong Saskatchewan and stimulate Saskatchewan's economic recovery.

Under the two-year 2 billion dollar capital booster shot to build a strong province, 200 million dollars of additional funding was designated for health infrastructure, including 100 million dollars for healthy facility maintenance.

A total of 87 health facilities will be receiving funding, one of them being the Shaunavon Hospital and Care Center.

The Center will receive funding to replace the cast iron pipes in the acute care wing. Crystal Mcara, Director of Capital and Project Management for The Saskatchewan Health Authority said work is expected to begin on that soon, with a finish date of sometime in the fall.

Health Minister Jim Reiter said that the increase in capital funding will help upgrade existing health facilities and improve the experiences of patients, residents and staff.