Neighbourhood Action Team makes a difference

Old Kildonan

This month, I am pleased to welcome the Neighbourhood Action Team to Old Kildonan. If you’ve noticed a bit more activity on our streets lately, it’s because of this focused and hardworking team taking care of the little things that make a big difference in our community.

The NAT is an exciting new city initiative that Mayor Gillingham brought to council and launched in Winnipeg this June. The program brings together staff from different city departments to zero in on neighbourhood maintenance issues over a four-week period. From repairing potholes and trimming hazardous tree branches to replacing damaged signs and removing graffiti, the goal is simple — making our neighbourhoods cleaner, safer, and more livable.

I had the chance to visit with the team during their first week in our ward and see their work firsthand. It’s impressive. Their efforts reflect what I hear from many of you, which is the importance of day-to-day upkeep, quick repairs, and the pride we all take in our surroundings.

Here are just some of the things the Neighbourhood Action Team has tackled in Old Kildonan so far:

• Sidewalk repairs – 31 locations repaired with asphalt;

• Pothole repairs – Approximately nine tonnes of asphalt placed, equivalent to roughly 360 potholes filled;

• Tree trimming/streetlight clearance – Pruning completed at five locations;

• Sign repairs and graffiti removal – Three sign repairs and one sign replacement (Maples Community Centre wayfinding sign), graffiti removed at six locations, with additional sites referred to the Graffiti Branch;

• Illegal boulevard sign removal – 55 signs removed;

• Debris cleanup – Various bulky waste items removed

As Keenan Boles, supervisor of the program, shared with me: “We’ve developed an accelerated way of doing business – one that allows us to make an immediate difference in communities. The NAT is more than a work crew; we’re ambassadors for not only this program, but public works as a whole, committed to creating lasting impact and leaving residents with a sense of pride for their community.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Programs such as this are about more than just maintenance, they’re about building pride and showing what’s possible when we all work together. When the NAT wraps up its time in Old Kildonan, we’ll be left with cleaner streets, safer public spaces, and an even stronger sense of community.

Looking ahead to 2026, I’m excited to share that the Neighbourhood Action Teams will return for an even longer period – meaning a bigger impact in even more areas of the city.

As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or ideas, I want to hear from you. Reach out to my office anytime at 204-986-5264 or devi@winnipeg.ca

Together, let’s keep building stronger, cleaner, and more connected communities.