Shawn Bailey
Work to begin on redevelopment of Main Street South
Work is about to begin on the redevelopment of Main Street South following the awarding of the more than $21 million contract to Russell Redi-Mix Concrete.
“We are expecting the equipment to start to mobilize in the first week of November,” director of Public Works ad Operation Mike VanAlstyne said, adding given the delays the contractor is hoping to make up some ground. “They hope to do as much work as they can throughout the winter months. It’s all going to be so weather dependent on how quickly we get going, when winter really hits us with full force, and what that’s going to do to the contractor’s capabilities and scheduling. But I think just any progress for the winter will be progress.”
VanAlstyne expects the contractor will begin with the excavation of the retaining ponds, one on each side of the highway, which make up a large part of the City’s drainage plans for the area and will collect spring runoff, as well as runoff from major weather events.
A portion of the excavation material, estimated at more than 30,000 cubic meters, will be used for the construction of the toboggan hill at Maamawi Park on the Dauphin Recreation Services grounds.
The construction cost of the entire drainage system, including the underground piping, has been set at more than $8 million.
The scope of the roadwork project covers a section of PTH 5A from Whitmore Ave., south to Triangle Road, and includes surface reconstruction with the creation of a divided highway.
The plans call to improve safety in the commercial area by having all local accesses connect to service roads, and service roads connecting to PTH 5A at upgraded intersections. Those service roads will be constructed along both the east and west sides of highway from their existing points south to Triangle Road.
As well, a new intersection allowing access to Dauphin Market Place Mall will be developed, complete with traffic signals.
The project has been delayed by more than a year, and while it has been a long road to get this point, VanAlstyne said the real work is just beginning.
“It’s a long time coming, but we’re excited to have it moving,” he said. “It’s going to be a lot of adapting on the fly and a lot of moving parts, but I think we’ll get through and it’ll be a really great project for the city.”
Kostyshyn ready to work for constituency, province
Manitoba’s 43rd general election is in the books and voters in the Dauphin constituency were truly engaged in the process.
A total of 64 per cent of the 15,358 voters registered in the constituency - 9,969 voters - cast ballots in the Oct. 3 election.
When everything was counted, NDP candidate Ron Kostyshyn received 5,097 votes and PC hopeful Gord Wood earning 4,765 on top of 63 declined and 44 rejected ballots. The votes were cast at 46 polling places within the electoral district on election day and 56 outside or advance polls.
Provincially, the NDP will form government with 34 candidates elected, while the PCs will move to the opposition side of the house with 22 MLAs and the Liberal Party of Manitoba failed to achieve official party status with just one candidate elected.
And while he does not know the exact date, Kostyshyn is looking forward to heading into Winnipeg to take part in a fall sitting of the Legislature as the MLA-designate for the Dauphin constituency.
“There’s a process of the present government has to clean out their offices and move forward, so probably the earliest would be the 20th of this month that will probably kick into gear of shuffling over. I don’t know when the swearing in ceremonies are going to happen. That will all be discussed. Obviously, the fall session will be happening. Traditionally it’s November and usually goes for two to three weeks,” Kostyshyn said. “There’s got to be a fall session to do some of the things we promised like the gas tax, the freezing of the hydro rates and let’s start getting things in gear about the health care, talking to the health care workers.”
Addressing health care issues was the number one campaign plank for the NDP and Kostyshyn said the message he was hearing at local doors reflected the concerns of the rest of the province.
“It was a good tight election and I think everybody that Gord or I talk to, I think we heard the concerns from the local constituency,” Kostyshyn said, looking back at the campaign. “Health care was obviously the top concern.”
The first step in healing the system is to talk to the people on the front lines, the ones who live it every day, he added.
“I’m not an expert as a doctor, or medical professional, or a home care worker, but they are. We all strive to support the health industry and there is no better way to do that than to talk to the people in it, face to face,” Kostyshyn said. “We are government and we represent a geographic area along with our premier. In no way are we the solution. The solution is talking to the people that are in the various categories, whether it’s health care, the teachers, agriculture culture producers. We are there to carry the message forward and to work with those suggestions they bring forward because we all need to work together rather than be adversarial of what is being brought forward.”
The other main issues Kostyshyn heard at local doors was the need for economic development and some lingering anger over the closure of the Dauphin Correctional Institute.
The latter, Kostyshyn said, was addressed directly by NDP leader and new Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew early on in the campaign when he promised to begin construction of a Dauphin Centre for Justice in the first year of an NDP government. The facility, he added, will help to address crime in many ways, from incarceration to providing offenders an opportunity and assistance to change their ways.
“With our proposal to build the justice facility, it is kind of an opportunity to end and deal with the offenders and spend time with them to correct the unfortunate circumstances that they’re in,” Kostyshyn said, adding the approach has been used successfully in other jurisdictions. “It resonates so obviously when you spend time thinking about it. There’s a domino effect. Repeat offenders will end up going to Stony Mountain or Headingley and that’s just the university of how to be more professional as a criminal. We need to stop that.”
When is comes to economic development opportunities, it will, again, take a collaborative approach to tackle the issues.
“I would love nothing more than to sit around with a lot of entrepreneurs in the geographic area and discuss what’s it going to take for us to create the appetite of businesses and opportunities to expand into the geographic area. We, as people in this geographic area, the more opportunity of business developing, it just creates that additional dollars coming in and then we can grow,” Kostyshyn said. “It’s a starting point to talk to the Parkland Chamber of Commerce, talk to some entrepreneurs in the area. We want to talk to people, like what do you need, what are you thinking about?”
For Kostyshyn personally, the issues surrounding Crown lands will command a lot focus.
“We’ve made a commitment on the Crown lands issue. I’ll take part in the discussion to carry our mission through as we’ve been committed to revisiting the Crown land unit transfer,” he said. “But not only Crown lands just agriculture issues period. We need to grow the agriculture economy locally for the benefit of all agriculture sectors in our province.”
Kostyshyn is not new to the duties of an MLA, or a member of cabinet , having been elected in the Swan River riding in the 2011 election and serving as Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister from 2012 to 2013, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development from 2013 to 2016 and Infrastructure and Transportation Minister from 2014 to 2015.
What role he will play in this administration is yet to be determined.
“It’s really not what I want, it’s up to the premier and his executive to make that decision,” he said, adding the one thing he is sure of is he will work hard for the good of the constituency, including those who voted for his opponent on Oct. 3.
“Give me four years and maybe I can, next election change your voting on the ballot. Because I am determined to work for all citizens in the Dauphin constituency and the province of Manitoba.”
Fresh and new
Crews from Maple Leaf Construction have been working hard to complete milling and paving projects on provincially-owned roads in the city.
The section of River Avenue from the Dauphin Courthouse to the intersection of Hwy. 20 has been completed, as has the work on First Avenue Northeast from Main Street to Fourth Avenue Northeast.
Work on Second Avenue Northwest from Main Street to the railroad tracks in the west end is ongoing and should be completed this week.
Mayor surprised with award from Canadian Parks and Recreation Association
Dauphin city council’s Sept. 25 regular meeting kicked off with a surprise for Mayor David Bosiak.
Through Economic Development manager Martijn van Luijn, Bosiak was presented with an Award of Merit from the Canadian Parks and Recreation Association, which recognizes the efforts of individuals, organizations, community groups or corporations which have influenced the parks and recreation sector in a local, regional and national capacity.
Proclamations
Council passed six proclamations during their meeting, starting with proclaiming Sept, 25 to 30 as Truth and Reconciliation Week and Sept. 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The proclamation considers the 94 Calls to Action authored by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015 and marks a public remembrance by the City of Dauphin of the dark history of residential schools.
Council also proclaimed Sept. 25 to Oct. 1 as Right To Know Week, recognizing that access to information is fundamental in a functioning democracy and the importance of open and accountable governments at all levels.
Oct. 1 was proclaimed International Day of Older Persons in recognition of the fact that by 2050, two billion people worldwide will be 60 years of age or older. As the fastest growing segment of Canadian society, older people will require attention to their specific needs, such as income security, housing, health care and elder abuse.
As well, council proclaimed Oct. 2 as Wrongful Conviction Day, recognizing that a wrongful conviction has far reaching and devastating effects and undermines society’s trust in the criminal justice system.
Oct. 8 to 14 was proclaimed as Fire Prevention Week, highlighting the City of Dauphin’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all of its citizens and visitors.
Finally, Oct. 15 to 21 was proclaimed Small Business Week and Chamber Days as a means of celebrating entrepreneurship and the important role played by small and medium sized businesses.
Read more in this week's Dauphin Herald!
Claimhte Solais
The Manitoba Chapter of the Markland Vikings set up an authentic Viking-era camp in Vermillion Park, Sunday.
Markland is the area Leif Erickson discovered when he reached what is now North America, while Claimhte Solais is borrowed from Celtic mythology and translates as Swords of Light.
The historical re-enactment group portrayed life in the Viking age from Scandinavia, Denmark and the British Isles in the period from 793 to 1066.
Dressed in period clothing, the group displayed what life would have been like in a Viking village from recreational pursuits to crafting, weapons practising and food preparation.
Here a participant, set up at what would have been a typical hunter’s camp, explains the duel purpose of the tools/weapons which would have been used as part of daily activities.
City fills a need with new safety manager position
The City of Dauphin has added a new position to address areas of need.
City manager Sharla Griffiths said Dauphin’s new safety manager will be responsible for fire inspections, workplace safety and health and municipal emergency measures.
The position came about as a result of Randy Daley, who served as municipal emergency co-ordinator on a contract basis, being elected to council and having to resign the position.
“When he ran for councillor, I gave him a leave of absence and because he won, then he had to resign,” Griffiths said. “So we looked at our organization and said ‘what are some of the things that we could perhaps combine to form a new full-time position?’ Workplace safety and health was getting done, but it was getting done maybe in a more disjointed way and we wanted to have a better process or better handle on that. And the fire chief has been expressing a need for some help with inspecting and other administrative functions at the fire department, so we saw this as an opportunity to combine those three roles into one position.”
Bylaw enforcement officer Conrad Demeria has been awarded the safety manager position, meaning a new bylaw enforcement officer will need to be hired, Griffiths said, adding interviews have been completed and she expects the job will be filled in the near future.
“I think it’s probably still a month away or so, and until then Conrad is providing us some basic services,” Griffiths said, adding Demeria started his new duties, Sept. 11, and like Daley, will provide emergency co-ordinator service for the Rural Municipality of Dauphin. “Right now we have a joint municipal emergency plan. It’s one plan for both municipalities.”
Griffiths added the new position was not created as part of the much-anticipated Community Safety and Well-being Plan, currently in development.
“If there is something in our community that first responders are overwhelmed with and we have to create a municipal response, then that’s where that municipal emergency co-ordinator kicks in. And then workplace safety and health is internal and fire inspections and administrative work is internal, as well,” she said. “So I actually do not see a big role for this position with (the Community Safety and Well-being Plan).”
An evening get together
A kickoff to Dauphin’s Culture Days took place last week, with Meet the Makers Under the Stars, Sept. 22, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., outside Fusion Credit Union on Main Street North.
The evening gave those interested a chance to browse through some unique items made in the Parkland, along with opportunity to talk to the artists about their craft.
The event was also an opportunity to learn about The Creative Common, a unique and collaborative makers’ space under development in the community.
Happy! Happy! Happy!
Gerdeep Pandher brought his nationwide Joy, Hope and Positivity Tour to CN Park in Dauphin, last week, promoting that message by teaching those in attendance Bhangra, a traditional dance of Punjab which celebrates food-growing, harvesting and a relationship to the land. Pandher gained social media fame during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He is best known for promoting motivation and optimism throughout the pandemic during which, in an effort to spread awareness about vaccinations, Pandher made a Bhangra dance video on a frozen lake in Yukon, which was watched by millions across the globe. “Joy is more than having fun. Joy means your nerves are calm, your anxieties are elsewhere. Your heart (not just lips) is smiling; your breathing is soothing like a breeze; your world is perfect in the mess of imperfections around you.
Joy could be an ideal meditation. If all emotions are valuable, then even tears of joy can make us get up and dance. One thing more about joy; we need it, just like we need food to survive. Go find your joy. Start by searching within yourself or going out in nature,” Pandher says.
Weather a boon for 2023 harvest season
Good weather, for the most part, has producers in the northwest region over the hump when it comes to getting the 2023 crop in the bin.
Although most of the region has received frost - with some damage evident in corn and soybean crops, depending on the stage of crops and degree of frost - daytime temperatures regularly rose to mid-to-high 20Cs meaning continued good harvest conditions.
The spring wheat harvest in most areas is approximately 95 per cent to 97 per cent done, with the northern part of the region slightly behind that at approximately 70 per cent complete.
Yields have been ranging from 50 bushels per acre to 90 bushels per acre, varying widely dependent on early season rains.
Initial reports of quality have been good, however, there are some reports of lower protein.
The canola harvest is in full swing and is approximately 40 per cent to 45 per cent complete with desiccation and swathing taking place as crops reach appropriate stages.
Yield reports have averaged from 40 bushels per acre to 55 bushels per acre, while some fields have yielded below 40 bushels per acre and some above 55 bushels per acre.
The field pea harvest is complete in the region and yields were variable due mostly to precipitation received through the growing season.
Fields with little precipitation ranged from 40 bushels per acre to 45 bushels per acre, while better fields came off at 60 bushels per acre to 70 bushels per acre.
Baling of pea straw is occurring and some post-harvest field work has been done.
Soybeans throughout the region are now mostly in the R8 stage and are moving towards maturity.
There has been a small start to the harvest in the Dauphin area and, while some crops may have been touched by frost, it is unknown at this time if any damage has occurred.
Seeding of fall crops started last week across the region.
Provincial picture
Harvest progress sits at about 64 per cent complete across the province, which is ahead of the five-year average of 54 per cent. Harvest continues in spring cereal crops, with barley at 95 per cent complete, oats at 95 per cent complete and spring wheat at 93 per cent complete. Overall, cereal crops remain in fair to mostly good condition. Many corn fields have achieved growth stage R6 and are drying down. The canola harvest continues with approximately 55 per cent of acres harvested. Soybean fields are mostly in the R7 to R8 growth stages with harvest progress at 21 per cent provincially.
Cereals
Spring wheat yields range from 35 bushels per acre to 70 bushels per acre, with highs of 90 bushels and a low of 16 bushels per acre in the driest regions. Across the province, the spring wheat quality is rated mostly fair to good. Protein levels range from 13.5 per cent and higher and grading No. 1 or No. 2 Canada. Oats have been yielding 90 bushels per acre to 130 bushels per acre with highs of 170 bushels per acre and some in the driest areas as low as 60 bushels per acre. Barley yields are between 70 bushels per acre and 100 bushels per acre.
Oilseeds
While the canola harvest sits at 55 per cent complete provincially, approximately 75 per cent of the crop has been taken off in the Central region. Overall crop condition reports have ranged from fair to mostly good. Sunflower fields are transitioning from the R9 growth stage with bracts becoming yellow and brown. The crop remains in good to excellent condition. The flax crop growth stages range from late stage 11 to stage 12 with lots of variability across individual fields being reported. The flax harvest in the Central region continues with approximately 40 per cent of acres in the bin. Reports put the crop in fair to mostly good condition.
Pulses and beans
Soybean fields continue to be harvested in most areas of the province with variable yields dependent upon summer rainfall. Yield ranges from 20 bushels per acre to 30 bushels per acre on the earliest harvested fields to 30 bushels per acre to 40 bushels per acre plus in recently harvested crops. Overall crop condition remains good. The dry bean harvest is approximately 72 per cent complete with yield ranging from 1,200 pounds per acre to 2,500 pounds per acre.
Forages and livestock
Corn silage harvest is well underway. There is a big push to get dryer fields chopped and into piles before rain hits. Beef producers continue to chip away at a second cut from fields that are predominantly grass and are baling straw for bedding and feed as it becomes available. Some producers are considering taking second cut on alfalfa fields that are in full bloom as the alfalfa’s root reserves should be well charged, and minimal regrowth is expected. Forage growth on hay and pasture land is mostly finished due to dry conditions. Light frost in parts of the Northwest region have producers concerned over nitrates in their annual crop silage and greenfeed still standing, and are advised to feed test prior to feeding. Some producers are supplementing hay on pasture to ensure nutrient requirements of cattle are being met and to take pressure off the grass. A handful of producers are beginning to move cattle onto fenced hayfields or harvested cropland to graze available regrowth and stubble. Water levels in dugouts are low, particularly in areas that have consistently missed out on rain. Some producers are hauling cows home and taking calves to auction marts.
Open doors
Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation (DNRC) made it official with the unveiling of its new logo and facility during an open house, last Thursday.
The grand opening of the facility located at the former Dauphin First United Church was postponed earlier this summer following the bus crash at Carberry, June 15.
The building, previously known as Under One Roof, will now go by the moniker Dauphin Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation Community Centre or DNRC Community Centre.
The grand opening included tours of the facility, speeches by local dignitaries, a ribbon cutting and a hotdog barbecue hosted by the HERO Club, a tenant at the facility.
The DNRC operates as a not-for-profit entity in the geographical area defined by the City of Dauphin boundaries concentrating on pockets of need.
DNRC’s mandate is to empower the neighbourhood through collaboration and leadership to build a healthy community.