Rural Roundup — Nov. 6, 2025

KILLARNEY

A billiards club has finished a lengthy interior renovation that improved bathrooms, removed asbestos features and installed equipment for temperature control.

The club had to get a hazmat team in to dispose of tiles that contained 1.5 per cent asbestos, club member Ole Larsen said. In place of the tiles, a new carpet has been installed.

Two heat pumps have been installed in the building at a cost of around $6,000. The equipment doubles as air conditioners in the summer.

Renovations started in July with a $15,000 grant from the Killarney Foundation, Larsen said. The grant was matched thanks to the Killarney Kinsmen, and work started in the old washroom to take it apart.

The club put over $10,000 into the project from its bank account, Larsen said.

» Killarney Guide

MINNEDOSA

The local business Minnedosa Bowl held its 65th birthday party last month, with a community celebration that saw the local mayor compete for bragging rights.

As a way to commemorate the event, Minnedosa Mayor Ken Cameron had a showdown with some of the community’s most prominent players, and a bowling four-year-old. Cameron said he wanted to show some appreciation for the local business and its owners.

“Businesses like this are hugely important to a community,” Cameron said. “You just have to look up at the banners on the walls and see just how important it’s been to the community.”

Alan and Debbie Tarn currently own and operate the bowling business. They bought it in 2012 and have run it since. They expressed appreciation for the community’s support through the years, including the COVID pandemic when they sold pizza as a way to do business while the lanes were forced to close.

“We’re overwhelmed by the support we received then, and now,” Debbie said. “It’s a really good community.”

The alley is located at its original location at 200 Main St. North, and has been part of the community since 1960.

» Neepawa Banner & Press

ROSSBURN

The Rossburn Municipality is seeking to cut the amount of waste sent to the landfill through a pilot project about reuse and recycling.

As of early October, the municipality was in the planning stages to develop a drop-off area for waste, councillors said. The project would encourage residents to share, reuse and repurpose items that would otherwise end up in the landfill.

Council passed a resolution earlier this summer supporting the effort.

One of the key reasons council members have been exploring the proposed pilot project is that there is an ongoing concern about limited space in the municipality.

Rossburn CAO Emily Sawchuk said that the municipality recognizes that many items being discarded are still usable. The municipality is interested in a program like “shopping at the dump,” or “give and take,” or “take it or leave it,” she said.

Mayor Shirley Kalyniuk said it makes sense to start such a project, find value and keep items out of the dump.

“The adage (that) ‘one man’s junk is another man’s treasure’ holds true in today’s economy,” Kalyniuk said.

Rossburn council reviewed similar programs in and found positive results.

» Crossroads this Week

RUSSELL

The students at Major Pratt School raised more money this year than any other year in the history of the school’s King and Queen competition.

The total amount raised was $45,249.80, after five weeks of battle in the 2025 Beef and Barley Pageant King and Queen competition. Russell rural division won the competition as its students fundraised the most money out of all six divisions — $12,423.10. As a result, the king and queen nominated by the division, Otello Derkach and Tatum Chuhai, were crowned for all of the school.

The funds go towards extracurricular and academic initiatives, like class trips, yearbook, grad, bursaries, school sports and student council activities like spirit weeks.

The fundraising is done through a number of activities, such as movie nights, car washes, silent auctions, bingo nights, craft nights, fall suppers and sports tournaments.

» Russel Banner

FOXWARREN

Repair efforts are underway for the historic Foxwarren Arena as a fundraiser surpassed $70,000.

The Foxwarren District Recreation Centre Board awarded the repair contract to MetalMart and AFAB Industries. Scott Wotton, a board member, said the first priority is getting ahead of the weather.

“This is an extensive project that will take months to complete from start to finish, but the initial goal is to get the roof covered and structure closed in and protected from the winter weather,” arena board member Scott Wotton said. “So much work still has to be done inside in addition to meeting fire inspection codes before the rink can open.”

A significant portion of the arena’s roof was ripped off during a downburst of wind last year.

The community’s official fundraising kicked off in September 2025 and have reached a significant milestone of 35 per cent of the goal. Treasurer for the arena, Ashley Moulson, said there has been a large show of community support on the way to the fundraiser goal of $200,000.

The arena is expected to remain closed for the 2025-26 season due to the scale of repairs. A board secretary said the anticipated opening time for the rink may come as early as next summer, to host community events.

» Crossroads This Week

DAUPHIN

Dauphin Countryfest revealed this month its lineup for the 2026 music festival.

The lineup is headlined by Jelly Roll, Nate Smith and Tyler Hubbard, festival staff announced in late October.

Festivalgoers can also look forward to performances by Cameron Whitcomb, Brett Kissel, Hunter Brothers, Owen Riegling, and Blackhawk, as well as rising talents Hailey Benedict, Thelma & James, Alli Walker and The Martin Boys. Manitoba’s own Jade Turner and Sean Taylor Band will also represent the vibrant country music scene.

“For the majority of this lineup, this will be the first time they ever grace our stage, which is an exciting accomplishment for our programming this year,” said promoter Rob Waloschuk.

Countryfest is scheduled for June 25, 26, 27, and 28. Pass sales started on Oct. 30th.

» Dauphin Countryfest