Neepawa Council Debrief: Parks and Paving

This week, Neepawa Town Council made important progress on several fronts, including advancing this year’s road construction and rehabilitation goals and passing long-delayed bylaws related to the annual tax levy.

Council Reports

Council highlighted recent and upcoming community events, including Canada Day celebrations at Riverbend Park. Activities will run throughout the afternoon and evening, and volunteers are still needed to help the event run smoothly. Residents interested in lending a hand can contact the town office.

On the healthcare front, Neepawa recently hosted Rural Week for a group of medical students, led by Mary Ellen Clarke. The event was such a success that the town has been asked to expand capacity for next year’s cohort. Meanwhile, the Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee continues to focus on attracting new doctors with key specialties like obstetrics and anaesthesiology to meet local healthcare needs.

Councillors Kostenchuk, Nadeau, and Gerrard reported on recent meetings involving HAND, the library advisory committee, and the human resources committee, respectively. Deputy Mayor Parrott also shared that Economic Development Officer Marilyn Crewe received a provincial Award of Distinction for her exceptional contributions to local economic development.

Street Work a Priority

Manager of Operations Denis Saquet reported that several infrastructure projects have wrapped up, including downtown drainage improvements, with others now underway. Major upcoming work includes the Mill Street drainage project, which must be completed before paving, and hydro infrastructure installation along Isabel Street to service new residential lots.

As part of the broader street renewal strategy, the town is ensuring that all underground utilities—like water and sewer lines—are upgraded before new asphalt is laid. This approach is designed to prevent costly and disruptive excavation in the near future.

One of the largest upcoming projects is the paving and infrastructure work around the new hospital. This includes a street extension, a roundabout, an asphalt walkway, and a new connecting road to Highway 16. The project, awarded through a tendering process, came in just over $1.7 million plus GST slightly under budget. A heavier-grade asphalt will be used to accommodate expected increases in traffic volume.

Bylaw Updates

Council passed third reading of several key bylaws, including those for solid waste and recycling services and this year’s municipal tax levy. These had been delayed pending approval from the Manitoba Municipal Board, which was granted earlier this week.

Council also supported a proposed provincial strategy on radon gas mitigation. Backed by municipalities participating in a radon testing pilot project, the initiative calls for greater availability of testing kits and stronger detection requirements in rental units and new builds. Manitoba has some of the highest indoor radon levels in Canada, making this a significant public health issue.

Other items addressed included a Healthy Together Now grant to support the purchase of canoes and kayaks, and funding approval for Neepawa’s local climate action plan—an essential step in applying for major infrastructure grants.