Rural Roundup — Dec. 24, 2025
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NEEPAWA
Construction on the new Neepawa Health Centre is 75 per cent complete, and work will continue through the winter.
Work on the building’s interior is progressing rapidly, with almost every area in the new health centre undergoing construction, according to a release from Prairie Mountain Health.
In this photo from 1999, umpire Ron Shewchuk is seen at a Winnipeg Goldeye’s game. The Minnedosa native was honoured with the Mitch Ball Memorial Award for umpire of the year in the Western Canadian Baseball League. (File)
Inside, work includes installing interior finishes, such as flooring, millwork and wall protection. Other areas of the hospital are at the framing and mechanical/electrical rough-in stage, while others are being painted or having drywall installed.
Construction crews are working seven days per week, with 300 to 350 tradespeople working on site daily. The focus will remain on the hospital’s interior throughout the winter.
The facility will grow to about three and a half times the size of the existing hospital.
Prairie Mountain Health expects the new facility will be ready in 2027.
» Neepawa Banner & Press
VIRDEN
Virden has recognized veteran firefighter and recreation leader John Davidson as 2025 Citizen of the Year.
Davidson was recognized for more than four decades of emergency service and extensive community involvement.
An employee of Manitoba Hydro, he moved to Virden in the late 1980s. He joined the Wallace District Fire Department in 1990 where he has served as assistant deputy chief.
The Neepawa Health Centre under construction this year. (Neepawa Banner & Press)
Davidson has been a firefighter for 45 years, including time with the Minnedosa fire department. Continuing as an active firefighter with the Wallace District Fire Department, he’s also a Level 1 instructor who mentors new recruits.
Davidson has served with Manitoba’s Urban Search and Rescue Team, including a deployment to the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire. He earned both the 20-year and 40-year Governor General’s Fire Service Exemplary Service medals
» Virden Empire Advance
ROBLIN
If you’re a hunter, angler or just love being in the great outdoors, a new club in Roblin may be for you.
Jonathan Livingston and Myles Branconnier have established the Roblin Fish and Game Club and they’re looking for members.
Branconnier says the main focus of the club will be wildlife, conservation, habitat and youth: “We want to get involved as much as we can in the community to get youth and other people involved into wildlife and everything else.”
One of the club’s goals is to set up a shooting range.
» Roblin Review
Thanks to the efforts of Jonathan Livingston and Myles Branconnier, the Roblin Fish and Game Club is up and running and looking for members. (Roblin Fish & Game Club Inc./Facebook)
WESTMAN
As the region gears up for the festive season rush, several local churches are offering quiet spaces for those coping with grief, loss of a loved one or lonliness.
Chuches that include those in Minnedosa, Erickson, Birtle and Russell are offering solemn gatherings known as Blue Christmas or Longest Night services.
The Christmas season can be difficult for many, and these services acknowledge the hardship beneath the surface of celebration.
Services will be held in Erickson Lutheran Church on Dec. 15 at 7 p.m., at St. George Anglican Church in Birtle on Dec. 19 at 7 p.m, Minnedosa United Church on Dec. 21 at 11 a.m., and at Knox United Church in Russell opn Dec. 21 at 7 p.m.
Unlike traditional, festive Christmas services, the tone is reflective and quiet, often with low music, candlelight and scripture focused on hope.
Residents are advised to call their local church, ministerial association or funeral home to find out if Blue Christmas or Longest Night services are offered in their community.
» Minnedosa Tribune
MINNEDOSA
Minnedosa United Church is one of several Westman churches holding gatherings called Blue Christmas or Longest Night Services to provide space for those coping with grief, loss and loneliness. (Minnedosa United Church/Facebook)
The Western Canadian Baseball League (WCBL) has presented Minnedosa’s Ron Shewchuk with the Mitch Ball Memorial Award for 2025 as umpire of the year.
The summer collegiate baseball league annually gives out the honour to the WCBL Umpire of the Year. Shewchuk mentioned that he was good friends with Ball, who passed away from COVID complications in May 2021.
In a media release, Rob Allan, the league’s supervisor of umpires, called Shewchuk “a leader on and off the field.” He noted the veteran umpire has been with the WCBL since 2014.
The WCBL has 12 teams spread across Alberta and Saskatchewan.
WCBL president Kevin Kvam said Shewchuk’s dedication to helping other umpires is one reason he won the award. It’s a role Ball also played in the sport.
» Minnedosa Tribune