Rural Roundup — July 28, 2022

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This article was published 28/07/2022 (1346 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MINNEDOSA

The Valley Life Recreation Committee has awarded a construction contract for a trail expansion at Squirrel Hills Trail Park.

Design Innovate Grow (DIG) Trail Design, from Rossland, B.C., has been awarded a construction contract for eight kilometres of new trail, with an estimated start date of Aug. 1.

DIG Trail Design is experienced in the design and construction of all types of pump-tracks, trails and mountain bike skill parks, and members of the Professional Trail Builders Association. The association works to advance the trails industry through professional design, construction, advocacy and education.

The construction company anticipates that the work will take seven to eight weeks, depending on weather and ground conditions.

Detailed design for the trailhead, done by landscape architect firm Scatliff Miller Murray, is also forging ahead. The group is looking forward to sharing snapshots of the trailhead design elements as they are finalized. Groundwork for that could begin this fall, with the bulk of the trailhead infrastructure being completed in the spring of 2023.

Valley Life Recreation continues to seek financial assistance with the project.

» Minnedosa Tribune

MINNEDOSA

Approximately 25 people came out to a public hearing held at the Minnedosa town office on July 5 to discuss the town’s plan to borrow money in order to finish the subdivision on Ninth Avenue Southwest.

The subdivision is planned to comprise 40 lots, including 37 single-family dwellings and three multiple-family dwelling or commercial lots. It still requires completion of sewer and water services, electrical and natural gas services, landscaping, roadwork such as asphalt paving and concrete curbs.

The town is proposing to borrow up to $2.2 million to be prepaid over a 20-year period at an estimated interest rate of five per cent, with an annual payment of $176,533.69. The proposal indicates that the borrowing would be levied over the entire town. Those owning land and a dwelling with a value of $200,000, for example, would see approximately $115.10 added to their taxes annually.

The land was purchased in 2013 and is large enough to hold up to 120 lots if fully utilized. Within the current subdivision plan, the sale of 40 lots would bring in approximately $1.935 million, which would be used to pay back a large portion of the loan.

During the meeting, attendees were given a maximum of five minutes each to speak and were asked to channel their questions through Jim Doppler, Minnedosa’s chief administrative officer. Approximately 41 written objections were received prior to the start of the meeting, and a few more were added before the end.

Seventeen people addressed the chair to express verbal questions, issues and complaints. Some of the concerns included a lack of public communication regarding alleged lack of communication during the process, accusations of mismanaged planning, a lack of confidence in the business plan and worries over not being able to sell enough lots to make money back. Comments were also made regarding the town’s alleged lack of experience in the development business. Some attendants balked at the idea of putting the financial burden of the plan on taxpayers with no guaranteed return of investment. They also voiced concerns that low-income families would not be able to afford any tax increases, which would cause financial hardship.

Others worried that no contractors would be willing to take the project on and that the state of roads and infrastructure within the town should be given more importance than the proposed subdivision. Disagreement arose regarding the appropriateness of the location of the development, the increased funding required for the project and what future expenses would be added.

Suggestions put forward included halting construction until an assessment and business plan is put into place, consulting with other communities to find out how they got their subdivisions up and running.

The process now states that the Town of Minnedosa will send the proposal, the public hearing minutes and all of the written and verbal objections to the Manitoba Municipal Board (MMB). If the board decides that the proposal is acceptable, they will approve it and send it back to the town. The town will then be required to hold second and third readings at the next council meeting.

» Minnedosa Tribune

NEEPAWA

A new storybook trail, featuring a series of outdoor signs featuring pages from a book, is being installed at the Flats in Neepawa. People can start at the first sign, follow the trail and read the book as they go.

The project came together with the efforts of three local organizations. Nicole Cooper, director of recreation services with the Town of Neepawa, said that the trail got started through a grant the town received.

“Last fall, I got a grant through the Assiniboine Parent Child Care Coalition North Region for $1,300 to have some kind of literature activity for kids in town.”

The trail, consisting of 18 signs in total, is being built by the Neepawa Men’s Shed group.

“They were more than willing to figure out something,” Cooper said. “So basically I gave them the idea and they took it and ran with it, and they did everything from start to finish for the whole manufacturing of the signs.”

The grant money covered the materials, and the Men’s Shed — a group belonging to an international organization made up of senior men who get together to create things while socializing with one another —donated their time and work for free. Colin McNairney, one of the members of the group, said they never seem to run out of community projects.

“Projects like this one here are great for us because we can take them six months in advance … and we can go and putter away at them at our own pace.”

The donation of books came from the Neepawa Public Library, a branch of the Western Manitoba Regional Library. Debbie Unger, the Neepawa library’s branch supervisor, said they have about 10 different books to swap out in the storybook trail, and will be adding more in the future.

“This is a great opportunity for partnership with the town,” Unger said. “We’ve long wanted to see a storybook trail in Neepawa, and this gives us a great opportunity to work with the town and Men’s Shed.”

» Neepawa Banner & Press

ARGYLE

The Rural Municipality of Argyle has a new chief administrative officer.

Ayeh Arta replaced Barb Bramwell, who has retired.

Arta said everyone at the RM has been very welcoming, with a lot of kindness and support from staff, council and the community at large.

Prior to her departure, Bramwell ensured that everything was in order for her successor, making the transition easy.

Arta holds a master’s degree in community development, which she said will help her support the reeve, council and staff. She and her family will be relocating to Baldur and her children will be attending school in Baldur in the fall.

» The Gazette

BALDUR

Baldur Memorial Hall is having its kitchen area upgraded to bring it up to current standards, making it more user-friendly and fresh.

The Baldur Memorial Hall Committee is currently spearheading a fundraising campaign for the upgrade. Several grants have already been secured, including $10,000 from Thomas Sill, $3,000 from the Sunrise Credit Union and $28,180 from Building Sustainable Communities.

To complete their goal, the committee is asking community residents to consider making a donation toward the project. Timelines for the project are still being finalized.

» The Gazette

KILLARNEY

A longtime Killarney School art teacher has been recognized with an award from the University of Manitoba’s Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL).

Darren Knight, who has taught at Killarney School since 1995, was the recipient of a Students’ Teacher Recognition Award. He was nominated by former student William (Mackie) Mackenzie Steele, who is now a graduate of the University of Manitoba’s School of Art.

Steele, who graduated from Killarney Collegiate Institute in 2016, was a student of Knight’s for Grade 11 and 12 visual arts.

Erica Hilhorst, acting principal at Killarney School, said she was thrilled with the news of Knight’s award.

“It’s a tremendous honour, and we are so proud of him,” she said. “He’s a phenomenal teacher, and has positively impacted so many students over the years. He showed me the award, and he was so proud of it. It means so much coming from a student.”

The University of Manitoba said that teachers are capable of truly changing the lives of students, which is why they created the award in the first place.

“The influence of teachers can often go unnoticed, but their impact is never unappreciated,” the university said on its awards website. “Like the budding of new leaves in spring, the work of teachers of all stripes brings colour to the lives of students at every level.”

The virtual ceremony and reception took place in May. The CATL’s signature event recognizes the importance of teaching and teachers’ impact on students’ educational journeys. Twenty graduating students representing the University of Manitoba’s faculties, colleges and schools select two educators who made an impression on their learning.

Hilhorst said this was the first time a local teacher had earned such an accolade.

“I feel so proud that someone from our school has received it.”

» The Guide