There is great optimism that a pathway connecting Winkler and Morden through RM of Stanley Corridor could start in 2024.
James Friesen is a member of the Stanley Trail Association and a committee member of the Stanley Community Pathway. Friesen said the pathway will be designated as an active transportation pathway, for activities mainly like walking and biking.
"We're in, sort of our fourth year of active planning and all I can say at this point is that we're very close to finishing off the final engineering details with Manitoba Infrastructure on moving ahead," said Friesen.
"Everyone knows the corridor between Winkler and Morden is, it's a moving target. There's lots of development going on. There's a building right now at the Boundary Trails Health Centre, and so the pathway gets inserted right through all of that infrastructure. So you've got a divided highway, you've got drainage issues, you've got utilities running through there.."
Friesen notes the committee is hopeful they can tender the project by the summer. "If everything falls into place, you know, based on our view of the world, then we could go to tender even in early winter. That would be best case scenario, and that's what we're focusing on."
Although there's a lot of red tape and bureaucracy with this project, Friesen said there's been a feeling of optimism the whole time.
"I have to say that all three municipalities have been, and continue to be in full support," noted Friesen. "Our planning committee involves representations from Winkler, Morden, and Stanley, at a high level, so we can plan well together...We're just waiting for the green light. So there's nothing official at this point. It just continues to be in planning. And I think we all collectively remain very optimistic."