Empty shells for park motels
- Details
- Published on Friday, May 8, 2015
By Jessie Bell
Two Brandon University students enrolled in a business administration course were recently approached by local railway buff, Donna Morken, to do a feasibility study on the possibility of obtaining empty rail cars to be made into motel units for placement in Rivers train station park.
The students did a thorough study of the idea and presented Donna with a manual outlining where the rail cars can be obtained, their placement in Rivers and an estimate of costs to furbish and equip the cars. A request has been made to order three of the spacious cars, which are empty shells, stored in Thunder Bay, Ont. They can be purchased from Via Rail and transported by flat car to Rivers train station. Their resting place would be along the north and west sides of the station park. Once in place, work would begin to transform them into sound-proof motel units.
The manual contains lists of competition for their use, such as the existing Cozy River Inn (bed and breakfast) and Home and Away Lodge, also nine motels along the north end of Brandon. The railcar units would help to serve the demands of large local gatherings held in the new rink and for other town and area celebrations.
The design students point to 10 funding/grant opportunities, two of which are heritage building grants, and a Benjamin Moore Community Restoration program which would assist with the cost. It is anticipated that restoration of the station and metal shell rail cars could be completed in 2017 to coincide with the 150th anniversary of Canada.
Local fundraising to restore the station is the sale of tickets for a free train trip to either Vancouver or Toronto. This raffle is similar to the first train trip giveaway held in 2009. There are only six weeks left to sell the tickets; the draw date is June 11 at 2 p.m. at the Via stationette. Tickets are available at Carol’s Time Again Treasures or by calling Donna at 204-328-7841. Rivers and Area Lions Club has offered to sell lunch that day, as a way to welcome the crowd and to raise funds to celebrate Lions Club of Canada’s 100th anniversary in 2017.
Donna also announced at the train station restoration meeting held April 28 that Tree Canada is expected to arrive in Rivers. Nearly 93,000 jack pine and white spruce seedlings from Wisconsin will be planted in the wild and most will not survive because they have to find their own resiliency, but they are suited to local soil conditions. More information about this project was printed in the May 1 issue of Rivers Banner.
Station committee members Beth Schafer and Dorothy Beedie agreed to purchase bedding plants for the stationette planters and pots.
