MBiz

Midwest Midwest Hamiota Chamber of Commerce Minnedosa Chamber of Commerce Neepawa & District Chamber of Commerce Rivers & District Chamber of Commerce Wasagaming Chamber of Commerce New & Noteworthy Photos courtesy of the Neepawa Banner Welcome parties: Pork was on the menu at a Rotary Club barbecue for newcomers in September. Philippines Culturama was a highlight of the Neepawa Lily Festival in July. "This has been huge for our town, and we're grateful for the new business," Waddell says. "We are a growth centre. We were even before this, but now we're dealing with huge growth. It's putting a little bit of pressure on our schools and we'll probably see a major expansion of our medical clinic." Waddell, who owns the Neepawa Banner newspaper with his wife Christine, says the new kids in town are settling in nicely. "The Neepawa Rotary Club had a big pork barbecue and invited all the immigrants. They served 400 people in an hour and a half — it was quite the day, and camaraderie was good." There's increased need for housing. The town added 60 housing units over the last two years. Another 27 are under construction and 60 more are in the planning stages. The town offers a wealth of recreational and cultural opportunities and immigrants are contributing, joining sports teams and taking part in the town's annual Lily Festival. Waddell says the town also needs more water and sewer-serviced land, and he'd like to attract more businesses. And the Filipino community has formed a volunteer group that will help anybody with any project, a welcome addition in a town whose citizens have a strong track record for fundraising and community involvement. "This is a good place to invest," he says. "This community is very beautiful, and it's very peaceful. We usually have very low crime rates — a bit of vandalism is the most you'll see around here. People are pretty friendly and there's plenty to do." "Everybody lends a hand to each other," Waddell says. "If you don't help each other out, it isn't going to happen. Rural people just get that." www.neepawa.ca >>  A public forum will be held Nov. 6 at the Minnedosa Community Conference Centre to discuss plans for the Minnedosa River's Edge Recreation Park. Initial plans for the redevelopment include a dog park, skate park and disc golf course. Minnedosa Credit Union is among the park project's supporters. >> Behlen Industries, the Richardson Foundation and many other businesses and individual donors in the community contributed to the development of the new Riverdale Community Centre in Rivers. The complex boasts a four-sheet curling rink and hockey rink, with dressing rooms and other amenities. A second-floor viewing area, kitchen and community hall are nearing completion. MBiz November 2012 43

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