Pam Fedack

The 2024 budget presented by Winkler City Council last Tuesday allows them to get a lot of things done while still planning for the future.

"The three really big projects that we're working on, water treatment plant, wastewater, Winkler Centennial Arena renovation, those are projects that we've been talking about for quite a while. We also have a significant expenditure to finish our Clover Creek Industrial Park, which will involve pushing Icon Drive through to Hwy. 14," said Mayor Henry Siemens. 

The legacy of a young hockey player from Saskatchewan will allow more kids in Winkler also to enjoy the game.

In 2022, the Winkler Flyers alumni team celebrated the 25th anniversary of its MJHL championship, and proceeds from their 50/50 draw were donated to the Evan Thomas Memorial Trust Fund.

Evan tragically passed away in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in April 2018.

The legacy of a young hockey player from Saskatchewan will allow more kids in Winkler also to enjoy the game.

In 2022, the Winkler Flyers alumni team celebrated the 25th anniversary of its MJHL championship, and proceeds from their 50/50 draw were donated to the Evan Thomas Memorial Trust Fund.

Evan tragically passed away in the Humboldt Broncos bus crash in April 2018.

This year's Bowl for Kids Sake in support of Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of the Pembina Valley raised $27,000, including in-kind donations.

For over 35 years, the event has been the organization's biggest fundraiser, with all money raised going directly into their programming.    

All Big Brothers Big Sisters services are free, and Executive Director Jenelle Neufeld says events like Bowl for Kids Sake allow them to keep those services free.

Winkler's ICON Technologies and two other businesses with significant ties to the community were honoured Thursday night at the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Awards Gala in Winnipeg.

ICON Industries was presented with the Export Award which is granted each year to a company demonstrating excellence in expanding into geographic markets and through significant and sustained export sales. 

Winkler mom Tracey Dyck wants people to think about how wonderful March 21st can be, and the many people with Down Syndrome.
    
Today is World Down Syndrome Day.
    
Two of Tracey's children, Elijah and Madylynn (Maddie) were born with Down Syndrome. Fourteen-year-old Maddie is in grade 9 at Winkler's Garden Valley Collegiate, and Elijah is in grade 6 at Parkland Elementary School.
    
Tracey says the siblings are thriving, and bring joy to their family and the people around them.

The City of Winkler reported some good financial news at its council meeting last week.
    
With tremendous strains on the budget over the last several years, Mayor Henry Siemens called it "happy financial news."

Officials with the RM of Stanley are not very worried about water runoff from the escarpment, even after the recent snowfall. 

Because the RM hasn't received a lot of snow this winter, Reeve Ike Friesen said last week's snowfall was a welcome sight. "The snow gives us the run-off and fills up the lakes and the dugouts, etcetera.  And later, the rain fills the soil. But we sure like to see the run-off already filling up all those reservoirs."

Throughout the Pembina and Red River Valleys, evidence of the frequent freezing and thawing cycles can be seen on the streets and rural roads.

In Winkler, City Manager Jody Penner says the number of instances of freezing and thawing this winter is affecting the roads more than usual.

This has caused issues including potholes, and heaving on road surfaces. He said crews are working to fill potholes earlier than normal this year. 

Penner noted all of this is accounting for what seems to be more puddles along roadways and gutters.

Year over year, funding to the Garden Valley School Division (GVSD) increased by $1.1 million, or 2.9 %. Spending is going up too, year over year, increasing by 4.9 percent, reflecting a total operating budget of just under $60 million.
    
The draft budget was presented to the public before GVSD's regular board meeting Tuesday night, where trustees finalized the document. Secretary-Treasurer Kevin Vovchuk says education property taxes will be going up around 5.4 percent.