City of Winkler plans for near term and the future

The City of Winkler took dedicated time this week to go through this year's budget, and map out its plan for the next four years. Together with the City Manager and department Directors, Council held its annual two-day planning session Monday and Tuesday.
    
As a group, Mayor Henry Siemens said they put much of their focus on, "How do we plan well, not just now for this immediate term, but also for the future."

Further development in Winkler at risk, if wastewater treatment project doesn't move ahead

Winkler's planning and engineering team has been working feverishly with hopes of seeing the community's wastewater treatment project move ahead.
    
Mayor Henry Siemens says they're currently going through items submitted through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process the city conducted earlier this year, seeking alternative ways to make the much-needed expansion go ahead in some form.

Siemens says the wastewater issue is Winkler's single biggest challenge right now to figure out, noting the threat to further development if the project doesn't go forward.

A legacy created through Eleanor's Reading Nook

An outdoor reading space and community garden under construction on the north side of Winkler's Centennial Library was dedicated and officially named during a ceremony Friday afternoon.
    
A number of the community supporters were on hand for the dedication, including Winkler Mayor Martin Harder, his three children and other members of his family. In addition to other contributors, the Harder family made a significant financial donation to the project to help make it a reality.