Going With the Flow

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This article was published 28/06/2018 (2639 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Brandon’s new partnership with the Assiniboine River

When developing the Back to the River master plan, the notion that “Mother Nature always wins” was a central focus.

Working with the river, rather than against it, was top-of-mind and shaped the entire 20-year vision for the Assiniboine River corridor.

“Sometimes we forget … that the Assiniboine River now is just a tiny ribbon of water through the huge flood plain…and it used to be a (much wider),” said Lois MacDonald, former general manager of Brandon Riverbank Inc. “It’s just been reduced down to this tiny channel — but it reminds us every now and again, that it’s still in charge.”

Brandon experienced historic flooding in 2011 and again in 2014. While most of the city was protected, one area that sustained major damage was the river corridor and the area surrounding the Riverbank Discovery Centre.

Mayor Rick Chrest recalled how the high waters wiped out some of the amenities and improvements that had been built over the years, such as Eleanor Kidd Park and popular walking trails.

“That was very unfortunate but undaunted the Riverbank Inc. organization,” he said. “Lots of people in the community have circled back around and … are now working with the river. I think it’s just very symbolic … that we are wanting to embrace this sometimes powerful, natural phenomenon … and realize that we have to just work with it, and the river will be the boss.”

To re-evaluate the space and plan for the future, Brandon Riverbank Inc. hired HTFC Planning + Design to help develop the master plan. It was an 18-month process, which included many public consultations.

City council approved the master plan in June 2016. The total price tag is estimated at $30 million, and the projects will be completed as funding becomes available.

Phase 1 is Festival Park, and is slated for completion by the end of the summer. Key features include a permanent, covered stage, as well as an amphitheatre with terraced seating for up to 3,000 people.

Monica Giesbrecht, partner with HTFC Planning + Design, said the company prides itself on understanding the biophysical conditions.

“We don’t tend to design anything that sort of goes against nature,” she said. “It’s super important with climate change and just the volatility and the expected changes in our weather patterns…to design all projects now so that they are fairly resilient.”

In some spots along the river, more naturalized areas will be developed, to allow flood waters to move in and out.

“Let it come and go, rather than trying to engineer something that would try to withstand it,” she said.

Discovery Gardens will eventually surround the Riverbank Discovery Centre, creating a horticultural oasis that features a variety of gardens, outdoor programming space, as well as an arbor for outdoor weddings. This will replace Eleanor Kidd Gardens, as it was not feasible to try and restore it. The plans for the entire project have been designed with flooding in mind, and are above the flood-of-record elevation in an effort to keep it safe from high water in the future.

After going through some difficult years, MacDonald and others close to the project are thrilled to see construction underway.

“From 2011 to 2016, it was five years of a lot of damage, a lot of loss, a lot of uncertainty,” MacDonald said. “And now it feels fantastic to have a plan, to have something to be working towards that we know we have the entire community’s support.”

A loan agreement of up to $1 million between Brandon Riverbank Inc. and the city allows the accelerated completion of Phase 1. In addition to the amphitheatre, it will also include two new picnic shelters, as well as establishment of native prairie grasses.

“I feel really good about the fact that this is going to get done and the community will get to start enjoying it before too long,” Chrest said. “When potential donors are now starting to see the project come together, they’ll be more apt to want to get on board to help fund it when they can see what the finished product is going to look like.”

There are many ways the public can lend support to the Festival Park project, including a seat sale campaign. For $2,500, an individual, family or business can sponsor an amphitheatre limestone seat. For $500, a tree can be planted in your name. Sponsorship opportunities are also available to name the stage and amphitheatre.

“We’ve received some real good corporate support and we look forward to businesses being involved,” said Bernie Chrisp, president of Brandon Riverbank Inc. “We want to thank the folks that have donated already, the businesses and also the local people in Brandon and Westman, it’s nice to see that its happening and moving along.”

The long-term vision for the area is to create a robust green space, which will become the heart of the community.

“It will create reconnection to nature, for members of our community and people throughout the entire region,” MacDonald said. “I just see that it would create a space that everyone can access. The riverbank to me, is an equalizer … regardless of your age, your background, your socioeconomic status or where you live in our community, you can come here and enjoy the space.”

Giesbrecht said this particular project has been a special one for her, and she has been struck by the community partnerships and support.

“It’s by working together and continuing to work together that you guys are going to really achieve this,” she said. “It was really a pleasure to have committed leadership and city buy-in of the project, and I hope that continues.”

Other components planned include Assiniboine Cove, which will transform existing wetlands into an interactive outdoor classroom. There are plans for a new safe, area to launch canoes and kayaks.

The master plan also includes the creation of Peter Sawatzky Sculpture Park near the corner of 18th Street and Kirkcaldy Drive.

“There will be lots of changes, lots of transformations, but we’re kind of earmarking the big projects that will be moving ahead,” MacDonald said. “As funding becomes available and partners become available, then definitely there’s no shortage of other projects that we can get moving on as well.”