West Winnipeg councillors look ahead to 2025

West Winnipeg

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This article was published 01/01/2025 (626 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As we turn the calendar on a new year, city councillors representing wards west of the Red River were asked about their hopes and goals for 2025.

Here’s what those who responded had to say:

Coun. Sherri Rollins (Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry) is looking forward to meeting with constituents in her new constituency office at 252 Stafford St.

“This is really exciting for me,” Rollins said. “Like most politicians, the office will be by appointment only. I will have some regular hours coming up. I’m really looking forward to concentrating on the Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry work within to ward office. I’m also hoping to use it as a community classroom, too, for small gatherings, like we’re going to do with seniors core-housing, coming up.”

Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan), chair of the standing policy on finance and economic development, said that a “deep dive” into city departmental budgets will be coming up in the new year in order to “find savings.”

“That will be an important exercise,” he said.

Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski) has a busy year ahead, which will include continuing to advocate for demolishing and replacing the Arlington Bridge. He and Coun. Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre) have been working on an estimated budget for what would be a six-year project, as well as trying to gather as much support as possible.

“The Arlington Bridge, it’s more than just the North End,” he said. “That bridge, when it was open, it provided a … smooth transportation for the inner city … I know when I lived more up north, (it was) the easiest way for people to go back and forth from the hospital — and there’s thousands of people working at the Health Sciences Centre — and for other people to get to work and emergency vehicles, so that’s kind of what I’ll be pushing.”

A project which adds new orange lighting along Selkirk Avenue will be completed in the spring, Eadie added, and he is also hoping to work alongside multiple businesses in the area, such as the North End Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation, on figuring out how to best support youth living in the area, with an emphasis on mental health.

2025 will also introduce a way for Mynarski residents to get rid of bulk trash, such as mattresses, that have been dumped on private property: “Through the (North End BIZ), we’re going to try a bulk-waste pilot project where we place bins at the end of the month in certain areas on either side of Selkirk Avenue … if it works really well, we’ll try to see if this could work maybe in other areas too, where we have that problem.”

Alongside learning the harmonica, Eadie is also in the early stages of writing a book.

“People think I have an interesting life, apparently,” he said, with a laugh.

Coun. Evan Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood) said he aims to continue working hard on issues he focused on during his election campaign in 2022, including public safety and investment in recreation.

“It’s important for us to look at our community clubs, especially where there’s aging infrastructure,” Duncan said, noting the community has been working hard towards amalgamating Roblin Park, Varsity View and Westdale community centres in the same fashion as Central Corydon Community Centre’s three sites.

“This is something I’d love to see.”

On a personal level, Duncan said he’ll continue to work hard to find a work-life balance.

“I always tell people the job of being a councillor is as busy as you want to make it,” he said.

“As a councillor, I’ve been extremely engaged, but it’s important to remain focused on family first.”

“If I can send a message – if you make time for your family and you make time for your friends, you’re also more likely to be engaged and committed in your professional life,” Duncan added.

“I’m thrilled about several new projects in 2025,” said Coun. Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan), which includes the tennis courts at Garden City Collegiate and a new library “to accommodate the growth in northwest Winnipeg.”

Personally, Sharma also aims to “rekindle” her love for baking. “My friends and family have pointed out my sweet treats have been missed,” she said.