Rural Roundup — Mar. 27, 2025

NEEPAWA

A developer plans to renovate a downtown Neepawa building to create apartments and businesses.

Westgate Developments told the Neepawa Banner and Press that a number of three-bedroom suites with laundry units are planned for the Kerr Block, as well as units for businesses.

Four business units are planned for the ground level, two being larger and two being smaller, according to Justin Beaulieu from the development company.

The building was previously ordered to be closed when its heating system broke. Tenants at that time were ordered to leave.

Westgate purchased the property and has worked on continuous renovations since, Beaulieu said. “I guess the previous owners didn’t realize just how much money needed to be invested. I decided we would do a complete renovation.”

The restoration is near completion and Beaulieu said he hopes rentals will be available soon.

» Neepawa Banner and Press

DAUPHIN

The future of Dauphin Countryfest is in question after a few bad years of ticket sales, the vice-president said.

Vice-president Bob Gilroy noted the event is set to proceed this year, however it needs a box office success to ensure the future of the annual July event. Gilroy said he has confidence the community will support the program, but hopes it comes sooner rather than later.

“There has been a real lack of ticket sales in the last few years and that is snowballing into some longer-term issues,” said Gilroy. “Now more than ever, we need you to buy tickets. We need your family to come home and buy tickets, we need your friends to come to Dauphin and buy tickets.”

The City of Dauphin recently signed a five-year sponsorship valued at $100,000 paid up front to help ease the burden.

The news comes as the event is thought to generate millions in economic activity in the Dauphin area. Gilroy said he hopes the province will recognize this value and choose to offer financial support for the event.

» Dauphin Herald

RIVERS

Donna Morken, a local Rivers resident, received a King Charles III Coronation Medal in March for her impact in the area.

Morken received the medal for her contributions to the community of Rivers. Spanning decades, Morken helped with a variety of initiatives, including the transformation of a former bank into a public library, serving as a town councillor, establishing the Rivers and Area Community Foundation, helping to found the Rivers Train Station Resoration Committe and supporting health-care initiatives through the Riverdale District Health Auxiliary Legacy Health Fund.

Morken was recognized in a March 5 ceremony by the MP for the area, Dan Mazier. Several awards were given out to citizens across Westman as a way to highlight important community members who have dedicated much of their life to community service.

» Rivers Banner

MINNEDOSA

A five-day-old calf named Cupcake visited residents in the Minnedosa Personal Care Home.

KayDee Pass, a staff member at the care home, brought the calf in to brighten the day for the residents recently. The visit included squeezing the calf into the back seat of a truck, driving to the home, and allowing residents at the care home to bottle-feed Cupcake.

“There were a lot of sparkly eyed smiles while residents fed Cupcake and shared memories of farming and raising livestock,” said Pass.

Cupcake was orphaned after being rejected by her first-time calving mother. The calf’s name came about when Pass said, “Poor cupcake,” and then the name caught on.

» Minnedosa Tribune

VIRDEN

A new fire chief has been announced for the Wallace District Fire Department.

Local firefighter Cory Nixon, formerly the deputy chief, is moving into the position of Station 1 fire chief. The move comes after Tyson Van Eaton opted not to renew his contract as chief.

Aaron Lewis will serve as fire chief of Station 2.

“There was an election for the fire chief for Station 1 and Corey Nixon was elected,” said Reeve Clayton Canart. “Hopefully, it’s a long-term situation where we’re going to have a chief out of each hall.”

The plan is for the chief position to continue to be decided by an election. Fire department members will decide who they want their chief to be — and Canart said that so far everyone seems to think it’s a good idea.

“We’re looking forward to moving forward with this kind of new model.”

» Virden Empire Advance

HAMIOTA

A volleyball player from Hamiota has won the national volleyball championship in March.

Player Ella Gurr was part of the University of Manitoba Bisons team that won the championship. Gurr is a native of Hamiota who played in that town as well as in Brandon before going on to the U of M.

Her team won first place on Mar. 19 when it beat Montreal 3-1 in front of a sold out crowd of 3,500 people. It is the first time in 11 years that the women’s volleyball team are national champions.

“We battled out hearts out and we won,” Gurr said. “It was absolutely lovely.”

Gurr said the win was life-changing for her and her teammates. She said that the team came together and was able to celebrate months of hard work and commitment that led up to the moment.

Gurr said she is amazed with where she has come in the sport since taking it on as a serious pursuit, along with music as she also plays the piano.

» Discover Westman