Three Saskatchewan casinos now providing EV charging stations

While they’re plugging slot machines, patrons who own electric vehicles now can plug in their EVs at three Saskatchewan casinos.

In a media release Monday, the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority (SIGA) announced Level 3 (fast charging) and Level 2 charging stations are now available at Northern Lights Casino in Prince Albert, Gold Eagle Casino in North Battleford and Painted Hand Casino in Yorkton.

“It is important to us to operate in an environmentally sustainable manner and build that into our operational plans going forward, staying true to SIGA’s guiding principle of Witaskêwin, which means living together on the land,” Daniel Morin, the director of SIGA operations, said in the release.

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According to the release, SIGA’s operations department got approval of Phase 1 funding from SaskPower and Natural Resources Canada for the installation of electric vehicle charging stations at three of its casinos. Phase 2 will see chargers installed at SIGA’s other seven casinos over the next year.

The money for the project was provided through SaskPower’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, which offered funding for eligible businesses or organizations for the construction of up to 20 fast-charging stations across the province. Natural Resources Canada also provided funding, allowing the program to fill in gaps in charging stations along well-travelled corridors in the province.

Projects that were approved were reimbursed up to 75 per cent of eligible costs to a maximum of $200,000.