Pam Fedack

With the population continuing to grow rapidly throughout the Pembina Valley, multi-family housing is in hot demand, and in many areas, there's a shortage.
    
Dave Kasdorf is a broker and the managing partner at Choice Realty based in Winkler

Kasdorf says demand has been strong due to the strong economy in the Pembina Valley and the arrival of immigrants. He adds there's a wide range of the population looking to get into multi-family units.

The R.M. of Stanley has begun the process of searching for a new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).
    
After 15 years as the RM's CAO, Dale Toews has taken on a new role with the Pembina Valley Water Co-op (PVWC).

Nearly two decades ago, husband and wife duo Sam and Trish Berg, started their business 'Glenberg Homes.'    
    
Seeing a change in the demand and needs in the community, the Bergs continue to do what they're most known for but have also adjusted some of their focus.

The real estate market in the Pembina Valley has been steady in the first half of 2023.
    
Dave Kasdorf, broker and managing partner of Choice Realty based in Winkler, says the market has been strong because the area's economy is strong. He says the job market is a typical reflection of the real estate market.

Building activity in the last 3 months has picked up in most sectors across the entire MSTW Planning District.
    
MSTW General Manager Glen Wieler says activity in all four municipalities; Morden, Winkler, the RM of Stanley, and the RM of Thomspson are trending similarly to what they've seen in the last number of years.

"Obviously there's a couple of big projects going on like we're looking at the new Discovery School in Morden on the northwest corner, that's starting to take shape and definitely a huge project in the area." 

In the spring of 2022, the City of Winkler submitted a request to the Public Utilities Board (PUB) to increase its water and sewer rates. The request to the PUB from the City followed an extensive review of its rates after a review had not been done in a decade.
    
The city's request was approved, and City Manager Jody Penner said the increased rates were approved by Council at its meeting last week Tuesday.

Over $1 - million has now been secured through grants and fundraising efforts for the new swimming pool in Deloraine.
    
Pam Hainsworth, CAO for Deloraine - Winchester, says they are still waiting on approval from the Municipal Board on the municipality's borrowing application. In the meantime, she says the fundraising committee will continue to forge ahead in its efforts, so in the end, they will not need to borrow for the project. 

Every year, the United Way Pembina Valley gives out three scholarships to a graduate from each high school in Morden and Winkler.
    
The agency selects students who have demonstrated social awareness and leadership through volunteer service and involvement within the community.

Melanie Rouire, from Morden Collegiate Institute, picked up one of this year's three scholarships.

After eight months of careful consideration, Winkler City Council brought forward a resolution Tuesday night pertaining to South Central Regional Library's (SCRL) policy regarding the placement of specific books classified as 'children's literature.'
    
Mayor Henry Siemens says the resolution is the culmination of many conversations, presentations to Council, and their own research, which led them to a place, as partners in the library, to take a leadership position and state they have a concern. 

2022  was an excellent year all around for the Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation (BTHCF).
    
Not only did the year see the Foundation nearly crack the $8-million mark towards its goal of raising $10 - million, but Board Chair Ben Friesen also says much more made the year positive.