Exciting developments in Whyte Ridge

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/02/2020 (1200 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

I attended the Whyte Ridge Winter Carnival a few weeks ago, and I think it was the first time I can remember having to park several streets away because it was so busy. It was great to see so many families having fun.

As usual, Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) and Winnipeg South MP Terry Duguid were on hand to chat with local residents. I think it’s so important and appreciated that our local politicians take the time to attend community events, despite being so busy.

Curtis Rossow (Whyte Ridge C.C. president) was also there, and I was able to get an update on activities at the community centre and Whyte Ridge in general. Curtis said that this year the centre has received funding to install high-efficiency LED lights, and to install air conditioning throughout the building.

Currently, only the multi-purpose room is air conditioned, and this space will also be getting new paint.

The centre may also be part of a program to facilitate accessibility, with modifications being made to the entrance to the building.

Speaking of the building, I asked the group if building expansion was still on the table. Terry again indicated that he would support this but the general feeling was that a group in the community needs to champion the initiative.

Janice noted that Stage 2 of the Southwest Transitway project is ramping up this year.  Public information will start flowing next month, with April 12 targeted or the start of the new service. As I reported last year, this will include a high-frequency north-south corridor, improved local collections, larger buses and more heated shelters.

There are also new things happening at several community buildings. The Steinbach Credit Union building on the corner of Kenaston Boulevard and McGillivray Boulevard will be expanding upwards in the near future, resulting in a four-story structure. The site of the former Baptist church on Scurfield Boulevard will become a regional medical centre, with major architectural changes. And Terry noted that FortWhyte Alive has received funding to renovate existing facilities and construct a new facility at the south entrance to the site on McGillivray.

In terms of roads, it’s good to see the improvements to traffic flow in Kenaston Commons, with a new employee parking lot and stop sign to help cars from turning left into ongoing traffic. It looks like similar changes may be occurring along McGillivray that should alleviate stress when turning left from Brady Road and McCreary Boulevard. Funding’s in place for a set of lights at South Landing Drive – about half a kilometre west of McCreary.

I’ll provide additional details in upcoming articles.

Nick Barnes is a community correspondent for Whyte Ridge.