Rural Roundup – July 17, 2025

DAUPHIN – photo building rendering

Officials are looking for ways to trim costs at an upcoming child care facility that has been delayed by budget problems.

The new facility, named Prairie Park Place, a design of 120 spaces for children in Dauphin, has recently been found to be about 20 per cent over the expected budget. As a result, workers have not broken ground yet despite originally planning for the project to be up and running this spring.

City staff are exploring different construction ideas to bridge the budget gap, which amounts to about $1.6 million. A gravel parking lot, smaller fencing allotments, and minimum outdoor play spaces have been considered as the city looks to negotiate the project back to its original budget of $5.5 million.

The city and the province have been able to find about $800,000 so far, city manager Sharla Griffiths said. She noted the goal is to maintain the structural design of the building and mechanicals like HVAC and electrical.

Griffiths said the team did not compromise on the quality of the building. Options remain for future upgrades, such as to pave the parking lot, expand outdoor play spaces and plant more trees.

Dauphin has sent the plan to the Province of Manitoba, requesting some additional funding after making the cutbacks. It is not yet known when the province will provide a response. Griffiths said the shovels could hit the ground sometime in 2025.

» Dauphin Herald

NEEPAWA – 2 photos art

For the rest of the summer, Neepawa’s downtown core will have an added bit of vibrancy for all to enjoy. In total, 20 local art pieces have been installed on lamp posts along Mountain Avenue, and will remain in place until Autumn.

The art was created by Neepawa Area Collegiate students, who are part of the school’s Community Art Club. Teachers and artists Katy Martin and Meaghan Peters, who put up the art work last week, also oversaw the project.

Martin shared with the Banner & Press that the inspiration for the art was a consultation by “Your Town Rising” last fall. The idea was to enhance public spaces as a way to make the area more attractive and inviting.

The students plan to have a theme for each season of the year. The future artwork may include decorating lamp posts for the fall and putting out painted candles for the holiday season.

The project was supported by the Neepawa Tourism Committee, who funded the project as well as a group of local business owners. The goal is to beautify the streets and create a positive atmosphere.

» Neepawa Banner & Press

STRATHCLAIR – photo hockey player

An NHL player from Strathclair, Morgan Geekie, has signed a six-year $33 million contract extension after his breakout season with the Boston Bruins.

Geekie will be back in the black and gold for at least six more years, signing a contract extension this year. The Strathclair product is coming off a career year in Boston, where he posted 33 goals and 57 points in 77 games, finding chemistry with Bruin’s star David Pastrnak at the top of the lineup.

The contract produces some long-term security for the forward. Geekie made his NHL debut with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2020. He then went to the Kraken for the 2021-2022 season, and made a free agency deal with the Bruins before the 2023-2024 season.

Turning 27 years old this month, Geekie has 72 goals and 159 points in 33 career NHL games.

» Minnedosa Tribune

OAK RIVER – photo storefront

Valleyview Co-op announced the permanent closure of its food store in Oak River this month following a review of sales.

Two key factors contributed to the final decision, general manager David Wowk wrote in a public statement. The factors are bad sales and profitability, as well as the condition of the building, he said.

Over the past year, the co-op has explored several scenarios to maintain operations at the location before making the call. The board of directors voted in favour of closure.

Sales at Oak River were about $300,000 for a year, equaling one-week of business at Virden’s co-op where yearly sales total $2 million, Wowk said. “Oak River lost money ever since amalgamation,” he said, and added the store was kept open for years longer than numbers said they should keep it.

Wowk said his team is grateful for the support they have received from the Oak River community. “While this was not an easy decision, it was made with careful consideration and a focus on long-term sustainability.”

The Oak River store became part of the co-op following the 2018 amalgamation of Valleyview and Kenton co-ops. The board of directors has decided to demolish to building, the Virden Empire Advance reported this month. Before, Wowk wrote in his statement that there are “significant structural issues.”

» Valleyview Co-op and Virden Empire Advance

BOISSEVAIN

Dylan Radcliffe of Boissevain has been awarded $5,000 — the largest Sunrise Credit Union scholarship — recognizing an outstanding high school graduate pursuing post-secondary education.

A dedicated student, Radcliffe has maintained an academic average of 90 per cent or higher throughout high school while actively participating in a variety of extracurricular activities. In her senior year, she served as captain of the varsity girls volleyball team and also competed in club volleyball and on the school’s softball team.

Radcliffe’s dedication to personal growth and community service shines through her leadership in Student Government and Youth in Philanthropy, as well as her active volunteerism within both her school and the broader community. A gifted musician, she has studied piano for ten years and has been singing for eight.

Additionally, her decade-long involvement with the local 4-H Variety Club has equipped her with practical life skills and meaningful experiences that extend well beyond the classroom.

Radcliffe will attend the University of Winnipeg in the fall and is enrolled in the Pre-Health Sciences Technology program. While attending the University of Winnipeg she will complete the required pre-requisite courses to apply to the Medical Radiation Technology program at Red River College. Her goal is to become a medical radiologic technician and work in the healthcare field.

» Sunrise Credit Union

VIRDEN – photo drugs

The Manitoba Integrated Law Enforcement Team (MILET) has arrested and charged two individuals with Possession for the purpose of trafficking drugs during a traffic stop near Virden. They were in possession of a quantity of drugs believed to be cocaine and methamphetamine.

In April 2025, MILET began a drug investigation involving individuals from Souris, Manitoba.

The investigation led officers to conduct a traffic stop on June 24, 2025, at 9:10 pm, on Highway 1, near Virden.

Inside the vehicle were a male driver and a female passenger, both from Souris. They were immediately arrested for Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and methamphetamine.

During the initial search of the vehicle, officers seized approximately 250 grams of cocaine and 500 grams of methamphetamine as well as a quantity of Canadian currency.

“This investigation would not have been possible without the help of the Virden RCMP, the RCMP west district Crime reduction enforcement support team, as well as the Brandon, Regina and Saskatoon Police Services,” says Corporal Murray Haggerty from MILET. “We would like to thank all these organisations for their assistance and support as this has had a significant impact on the small community of Souris and all surrounding communities.”

Shaun Dalke, 33-year-old, and Karlan Maginel, 31-year-old, both from Souris, have been charged with: Possession for the purpose of trafficking cocaine and Possession for the purpose of trafficking methamphetamine. Shaun Dalke was also charged with Possession of property obtained by crime.

They were both released on a future court date.

» Manitoba RCMP