Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/545676
4 WINNIPeG FRee PReSS, SATuRDAY juLY 25, 2015 G I M L I Home Medical Supplies – Sales, Service, Rentals DirectBillingAvailable •Dept.ofVeteranAffairs •SocialServicesWinnipeg •IndianAffairs–HealthCanada •ProvincialIncomeAssistance Subjecttoapproval •Liftchairs •Wheelchairs •Scooters •Walkers•Canes •AdjustableBeds•BathSafety •DailyLiving&RehabilitationProducts •SkinCare•WoundCare•FirstAid •IncontinenceManagement •QualitySeniorServicesmember– TrustedProfessionalsforallYourNeeds SR140-700WilliamAve IntheHealthSciencesCentre Establishedin1830 204-787-3532 Servinglocationsin EriksdaleandArborg INTERLAKEAUTO &TRACTOR PARTSLTD. Largeinventoryof brakes,shocks,struts, drums&rotors Qualityparts,reasonable prices,fastservice! Wealsocarryalargeinventoryof... •Tuneupparts,oil,air&fuelfilters •Daycobelts&hoses•Pickuptruckaccessories •Custommadeachosesplusairconditioningparts. •Bodyshopsupplies•Moogchassisparts •Agriculturepartssuchasbearings,sprockets, chainsetc. •Monroeshocks&struts •Custommadehydraulichoses •Penzoil,QuakerState,Partsmasteroilinstock •2timesadaydeliveryoutofWpg. ARBORG,MB. 376-2667 REGISTERED CHARITY NO 88751 7332 RR0001 Building a Lasting Legacy BOX 395 86 FIRST AVENUE GIMLI, MB R0C 1B0 204-642-9796 www.westshorefoundation.com email: westshorefdn@hotmail.ca INTERLAKE / LAKESIDE AVIATION CharterServicesdepartingfrom Gimli/St.Andrews/Winnipeg/PineDock toanywhereinCanadaortheUSA FlightTrainingandFloatFlyingintheGimliarea. Becomeapilotnow!Greatrates!! 204-642-4799 www.interlakeaviation.com •Commercial •Residential •Post-Renovation •Construction Cleaning •AutoInterior Detailing 204-641-2020 Wearrivefast &friendly andleaveyou withpeace ofmind! Wearrivefa fast We KEEPIN'IT CLEAN FAMESummerFestival–August2 YourOneDayStoporVacationSpot ExperiencetheBeauty International PeaceGarden 60MinutesdirectlySouthofBrandon 1-888-432-6733 www.peacegarden.com WeSeeHope, Courage&Inspiration... WeSeeAbility EST.1977 M a n i t oba R i d i n g Fo r T h e D i s a b l e d As s o c i ati o n I nc . PleaseDonate 204.925.5905 www.mrda.cc Arrive Healthy& Happy! Grabyour walking shoesor bikehelmet instead ofthecar keys GetActive with HUMAN- POWER! A nd what visitor doesn't know about the Gimli Film Festival or hasn't attended the August long-week- end Icelandic Festival, Islendingadagurinn? So what's the secret? Well, for one thing, the town introduced its first Beach Bash Concert Series with econoline Crush, july 18. jerry Sereda & jake Mathews are coming up Aug. 15, with Harle- quin on Aug. 22 and a Beach Battle of the Bands featuring a Hawaiian Luau theme on Sept. 5. But that's only one secret. Here are some of the rest. Founded by Icelandic pioneers washed ashore on nearby Willow Island during a violent storm on Lake Win- nipeg in 1875, the tiny New Iceland settlement has become a vibrant town with a growing economic base — and an ongoing commitment to affordable housing aimed at at- tracting young families and retirees to the town and RM. As well, Manitoba Housing is in the process of updating its locations to appeal to people who cannot afford a large mortgage yet want to live in a pleasant environment. Another example of growth is the Aurora Recovery Cen- tre, an addictions counselling and medical detoxification facility located on 27 acres of lakeview property. The new building currently has 16 beds as well as two men's and one women's wing, capable of housing nearly 70 clients per day. Brittany Isfeld, clerk of the town and RM of Gimli's economic Development and Planning Services, says future expansion includes 175 beds and a designation of the Gimli site as the province's main campus for Aurora. The state-of-the-art facility has created well-paying jobs and continues to attract professionals such as doctors, nurses and psychologists to the area. Also underway is a $4-million renewal of the harbour's main wharf, with its beautiful seawall promenade and murals painted over the years by members of the Gimli Art Club. The Department of Fisheries and Oceans pro- vided funding for the facelift, which will include a new concrete surface for the walkway, repair of the seawall, installation of new bumpers and improved lighting and other fixtures. The iconic Gimli Viking Statue is also undergoing some cosmetic and structural refurbishment. "It's hardly a secret, but certainly draws a crowd and therefore must be maintained," says Isfeld, adding a pro- posal is in the works for a campground to be constructed near the existing sports field and the Gimli and District Recreational Centre. "We need a new camping area because our beautiful beaches, many outdoor activities and proximity to sites such as the Memorial Rock on Willow Island and historic Camp Morton draw more and more tourists to the RM each year." Other recreational facilities are in the process of being upgraded. Accessible playground equipment was recently purchased and there are plans to buy portable access pathways to the lake for people with mobility challenges. Further initiatives include redevelopment of the fire hall, improvements to the water treatment system, renewal of urban centre water lines, road and sidewalk renewals and ditch and drainage projects. The Gimli Business Park and Airport is being revitalized and has space for entrepreneurs interested in relocating to the town or opening a new enterprise, with prime lots starting at $10,000 To this end, the Gimli Community Development Cor- poration welcomes people with business ideas, offering start-up financing and mentoring opportunities from a range of government agencies. The first step is to contact Community Futures east Interlake (cfmanitoba.ca/regions/ east-interlake). PhoTos courTesy of gimli economic and Planning serVices Growing Strong s t i l l W a t e r s r u n D e e P i n g i m l i By David square for the Free Press Brian and Donna Austfjörð are among area entrepre- neurs who've been inspired by their Icelandic roots, marketing Icelandic-Canadian flags of their own design, as well as T-shirts and other products sold in stores in Arborg, Riverton and Hekla Island and online at www. austfjordpromotions.com. For her part, Isfeld believes the Gimli area is full of undiscovered destinations and unrealized business op- portunities. "even people who live here year-round are not aware of all of this gorgeous area's secret potential," she says. "Come, enjoy and stay." ❚ gimli has secrets. everyone knows it's a rockin' beach town energized by an influx of cottagers and tourists who delight in a series of public events that begin in may and continue through october.