Selkirk Manitoba - Grand Slam Curling Masters

Selkirk Manitoba Home of tHe Grand Slam CurlinG maSterS October 28 - November 2, 2014 06 selkiRk Rocks Brush up on local attractions by Pat St. Germain for tHe free PreSS north ameriCa's Catfish Capital will be manitoba's Curling Capi- tal during the rogers sportsnet grand slam of Curling series mas- ters tournament oCt. 28 - noV. 2. The Selkirk Recreation Complex is going to be a hot draw for fans as 15 men's teams and 15 women's teams of world curling champions compete — including the Sochi Olympics gold medallists of the Jennifer Jones rink and the 2014 Provincial Curling Champions of the Jeff Stoughton team. "It's great because we have a very large curling community here. It's very popular — it's very much ingrained in our heritage," says Selkirk Biz executive director Sheri Skalesky. Even if they're not participating in the action, fans flock to curling events, which usually means driving to Winnipeg or farther afield, Skalesky says. "Having it right here in our community is really special. It's going to give people here who are very much in love with the sport a couple of minute's drive and they're at the event. "That's pretty amazing, and not only is it great for those fans, but I think it's going to do a lot to raise awareness of the sport and make new fans, and hopefully engage the younger community and get them more involved in the sport." In turn, the Masters tournament gives visiting fans an opportunity to discover Selkirk. Situated along the Red River just 20 minutes north of Winnipeg, the city of about 10,000 residents is bustling with new developments. The Gaynor Family Regional Library opened its doors in January, a new hospital is on the horizon and Selkirk Crossing — a retail "power centre" developed by Shindico Realty Inc. on Manitoba Avenue West — is growing, with an 84-room hotel, Noventis Credit Union and a Real Canadian Superstore expected to join large retailers such as Walmart, Staples and Canadian Tire in the near future. Downtown, there are unique charms and attractions to spare, and many are already favoured destinations for out-of-town guests. Skalesky says local businesses such as Packer's Women's Fashion, The Upper Crust Bakery and Barney Gargles Restaurant already draw people from far and wide. "We have a lot of great boutique shops, and Packer's Fashion is definitely a great example of the smalltown offerings that we have in addition to the great big-box stores on Manitoba Avenue West," Skalesky says, adding Packer's is known for exceptional customer service. "They have a lot of Winnipeg customers, and that's what brings those customers here is the customer service that they get. They are treated like royalty and I know from personal experience being a customer there, because everybody knows each other here and even if they don't know you, they treat you as if they know you." The Upper Crust Bakery is a hot spot for pastries, "chocolate suicide" cake and breads and buns of every description, from Icelandic brown to Irish soda, focaccia and pumpernickel. Skalesky says people passing through on their way to nearby lakes make a point of stopping at the bakery, which has become a tourist destination in itself. And Barney Gargles draws crowds for Irish fish and chips, perogy dinners and other hearty meals, along with off-the-charts dessert specialties. There are plenty of other dining options, from wood-fired pizza and maple-glazed salmon at Benjamin's Gourmet Foods to family fare and pub grub at Smitty's Restaurant and Kelly's Bar & Grill at the Selkirk Inn & Conference Centre — right next to Chuck, the 11-metre-tall catfish on Main Street — and you'll find everything from quiche to African seed bread at Ubuntu Café & Bakery in the Gaynor Family Regional Library building. Director of library services Ken Kuryliw says Ubuntu, owned by bakers and baristas Anna and Jana Badenhorst, is a world- class eatery. "The cappuccinos and espressos are done the traditional Italian way and the teas are brewed properly, with leaves, and it's a really wonderful café where you can have a breakfast waffle or panini or whatever," Kuryliw says. The new library has become a popular meeting place for business and civic groups, day cares and seniors who take part in everything from tai chi classes to history bus tours. "We wanted to build a community space and it's definitely doing that so we're pleased," Kuryliw says. "Our old library was well used, but was only 4,800 square feet and this building is over 23,000 square feet, 17,000 of which is library." Outdoors, more than three acres of greenspace has been restored to tall grass prairie, and indoors, the fully accessible facility has expanded children's and adult programming. In May of this year, the City of Selkirk hired a chief administrative officer — former city councillor Duane Nicol — to provide strong administration for further improvements. Already home to the Sunova Credit Union corporate headquarters as well as the Interlake Regional Health Authority headquarters, the city has put in place a strategic plan that includes the new downtown Water Tower development, which features a carefully planned residential component. "Now they're working on the park and the ice rink and the green space that will help fill out the rest of that property," Skalesky says. "Once complete it's going to be able to serve everybody in the community." Selkirk is a regional health-care hub and construction is now underway on the new hospital, a premier health facility that will have an MRI to serve the community and surrounding area. "The great thing about that is it's going to attract doctors to the area," Skalesky says. "And in turn, it's going to bring, hopefully, new residents to the area and at the end of the day when you increase the tax base, that only leads to more good things that are going to happen in our community." A representative from Shindico who made a presentation to local stakeholders earlier this year estimated that Selkirk has a daytime population of about 69,000 people who are in the community for work, shopping, health care or other reasons, and Skalesky says that bodes well for further development. "It's a lot of people. I think it's overlooked and people don't realize how many people are using our community," she says. Along with the Selkirk Inn, there are several bed and breakfasts in the city and the surrounding area, ranging from the rustic charm of Cloverdale Bed & Breakfast to the contemporary comforts of Harlequin House and the historic Thomas Bunn House and The Fidler House. Skalesky says the new hotel at Selkirk Crossing is expected to be a catalyst that will attract more hospitality services as well as re- tail businesses. "It's an exciting time in our community. We haven't seen develop- ment like this in quite some time." ■ from top: the gaynor family regional library, the upper Crust bakery during a busy blaCk friday sale, and go-to boutique paCker's fashion. supplied photos

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