Rural Roundup — Oct. 23, 2025

NEEPAWA

A new Filipino cuisine restaurant celebrated its grand opening earlier this month in Neepawa.

The restaurant, Vegos Pinoy Restaurant, at 336 Mountain Ave., cut the ribbon on Oct. 3. The restaurant has a mix of ten full-time and part-time employees, and will offer a traditional sit down experience. It will also include a buffet and catering service.

It is the sixth Filipino-owned and operated business and second cultural eatery to establish itself within the community.

The venture is led by Catherine Vegos, who also operates Vego’s Kitchenette in Gladstone. She and her husband bought the location a few years ago and have saved money towards the project, she said.

Vegos said the road to opening the business has been long, after finding Neepawa as a great community to locate in.

“When I arrived in Neepawa in 2014, I told my husband that ‘Neepawa is a progressing town and I like this place.’ We known there was something here and if we worked hard, we could make something here to be proud of.”

» Neepawa Banner & Press

KENTON

A new playground has been installed in Kenton following volunteer efforts and grant funding.

A team of volunteers recently installed new equipment at Kenton Community Park. The cost was more than $90,000, paid for with a Co-op community spaces grant, and contributions from the RM of Wallace-Woodworth and community members.

Most of the playground equipment is paid for, but there is a bit more work to do to get signage, said resident Nicole Wilson.

» Virden Empire Advance

OAK LAKE

The Oak Lake Bike Park is getting a fresh start and a new name as the community uses more than $20,000 to upgrade the features.

The bike park is transforming into the Oak Lake Bike Playground, complete with smoother paths, new ramps, zig-zag poles and playful obstacles. Shipping and weather will determine when the last features take shape.

The community put to use $10,000 from the Fusion Credit Union Full Circle Grant, another $10,000 from the Oak Lake Regional Community Development Board, $500 from the Virden RCMP Gala and an unspecified amount from the Oak Lake Beach Farmer’s Market.

The changes to the bike park come as the start of a bigger vision for the area. Rachelle Stannage, who has been closely involved with the project, said that the area is where the local development board has chosen to develop a new town park.

Features like a gazebo, slide and a swing set have already been added, and the hope is to continue that growth, she said.

» Rivers Banner

DAUPHIN

The rugby girls varsity team from Dauphin have won the Rugby 7s championship for the fourth year in a row.

The Dauphin Clippers clinched the title by going 4-0 at the final jamboree of the season early this month in Brandon. The team had such a dominant season that coach Shawn Sarkonak said it was unusual to see some close games at the end, including with Souris and Steinbach.

“To tell you the truth, we’re not used to it,” he said. “But it was good to see, and the girls actually said they enjoyed those two close games.”

The Clippers defeated Souris 19-14, Steinbach 33-26, Crocus 48-0, and Massey 46-0.

The team had a strong season leading up to the championship, with an undefeated record after three jamborees.

» Dauphin Herald

KILLARNEY

A new landfill cell is being engineered for the Killarney-Turtle Mountain waste transfer station.

As the municipality’s old landfill cell reaches capacity, a new and better cell is taking shape. The cell will be for household waste.

“It’s a $2 million project, and this new cell will provide the municipality with 10 years of capacity for household waste, and more,” said Meaghan Cuvelier-Klassen, chief administrative officer for the municipality.

Construction started this summer. The community received a grant of over $800,000 through the Manitoba Growth Renewal Opportunities fund to help pay for the project, which also includes a new equipment shop and a connected office for the landfill worker.

The cell will be safer and more accessible, said landfill supervisor at the station, Bobby Anderson. Because it is just for household waste, there will be other stations designated for things like concrete, electronics, metal, wood and other recyclable materials, he said.

» The Killarney Guide

NINETTE

A new picnic shelter has been erected at Happyland Campground on Pelican Lake.

The Rural Municipality of Prairie Lakes announced the addition in September, with the project still under construction at the time. The project includes a cement pad under a newly constructed roof on the shore of Pelican Lake.

A grant for the project amounting to $12,175 was donated through the Central Assiniboine Water District.

» Baldur-Glenboro Gazette

MINNEDOSA

The Heritage Co-op Food Store in Minnedosa re-opened in October following nine months of renovations.

The official opening took place with a ribbon cutting on Oct. 2. The event showcased a modernized layout, expanded bakery and deli, new display cases, self-checkouts and a refreshed customer service area.

The store was built in the year 2000.

Heritage Co-op CEO Leanna Devliegere said the revamped store “is more than a facelift, it’s a renewal of our promise to serve Minnedosa with excellence, value and heart.”

A fundraiser barbecue on re-opening day raised more than $1,000 for local causes, and tastings of the store’s offerings included ice-cream cake and curry.

» Minnedosa Tribune