Ottawa contributes $1M to stormwater project
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The federal government is contributing $1 million for Brandon’s new stormwater pond to help develop a walking path and green space at the site.
In late October, crews started construction on the 10-acre pond on the east side of the cemetery that will help prevent flooding in the surrounding neighbourhood. So far, the city has put in $5,278,000 for the project.
“We have to do the pond,” Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett said on Friday. “We have to get that flood protection, and then by having this (funding) coming through, it makes it into something that is actually really nice to see for the community.”
Construction work is carried out on a stormwater pond in Brandon’s south end, east of the Brandon Municipal Cemetery. The federal government is providing $1 million to help develop a walking path and green space at the site. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun files)
The funding from Ottawa, which was announced on Thursday, is “great,” Fawcett said.
Construction started in the fall on the enormous pond that will help control flooding on Sycamore Drive and 18th Street.
The cost of that work came in at about $4.5 million. The rest of the money the city and Ottawa are putting in is for a walking path, trees, native wetland species and benches around the H-shaped pond.
“By doing the naturalization, it does filter better — the absorbing of carbon, reducing pollution,” Fawcett said. “But then there’s the esthetics of it being in a neighbourhood, and green space is really valuable.
“It’s just trying to take it to that next level of keeping the city beautiful. Balancing the needs with esthetics.”
Construction on the pond itself is supposed to wrap up on Oct. 30, 2026. Fawcett estimated the other work will happen in 2027.
In a press release, federal Northern and Arctic Affairs Minister Rebecca Chartrand said the pond and pathway will give Brandonites an enjoyable way to connect with greenspaces, neighbours and the cemetery.
“By making it easier to walk, cycle and spend time outdoors, this project will help strengthen community connections and support active lifestyles,” said Chartrand, Manitoba’s only federal cabinet minister.
Other work on the project includes taking the land being removed for the pond and adding it to flatten out an expansion of the cemetery. The pond is a component of the city’s southeast drainage project.
The city didn’t provide information requested Friday on the project’s timelines.
» alambert@brandonsun.com