Beautiful Plains Museum receives heritage designation

Details

Published on Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Photo by Eoin Devereux. Neepawa town council approved by-law which will allow the Beautiful Plains Museum (pictured) to more easily pursue federal or provincial heritage funding.

The Neepawa Press

The Beautiful Plains Museum is now a heritage designated building. On Tuesday, June 6, Neepawa town council passed a by-law designating the property as a site of ‘architectural or historic value’. Beautiful Plains museum director Helen Drysdale said that this designation provides them with more ability to pursue federal or provincial heritage funding, which will assist in maintaining and improving the building.

“This gives us access to some new opportunities when it comes to funding options for the building. General maintenance is very costly and on top of that, there are repairs needed, so anything that can assist us with keeping the museum as a well-recognized landmark for the community is appreciated,” Drysdale noted.

Though the museum is currently undergoing some structural and cosmetic improvements, it does remain accessable to the public.

Recycle My Cell: The Town of Neepawa has partnered with Recycle My Cell,  a national recycling program. The new alliance will make it easier for local residents to dispose of their old cell devices in a responsible manner. As part of the partnership, a drop off box has been located at the municipal office at 275 Hamilton Street, where old wireless devices, their batteries and accessories will be accepted. After the device is received, it is sent to a processor where it can be refurbished or broken down and recycled. The Town of Neepawa encourages members of the community to go green by dropping off their old cell phones.

Swimming pool deal: A usage arrangement for the Neepawa Swimming Pool has been agreed upon between the Town, who owns and operates the facility, and the Blue Dolphins Swim Team. The policy sets out the Town’s commitment on time slots and associated fees and charges. The major component of the deal ensures that the Town of Neepawa will accommodate the needs of the swim team in the pool schedule, within reason. They’ll also provide at minimum, two pool staff members during those sessions. The Blue Dolphins, meanwhile, agree to a rental rate of $50 per hour for each training session and $150 per hour for each swim meet hosted at the Neepawa Swimming Pool. The Town is to be notified of applicable dates and times.

Manager of Operations report: Repairs have been completed on the Oberon well site. Oberon suffered a panel malfunction after a snow storm in early March caused a power surge. The damage did not impact the water quality in any way, though it did force a request to Neepawa residents to limit their water usage while the site was being repaired.  

Summer staff have been hired and have started work, with the exception of any employees from the high school. As well, hanging baskets were delivered on Wednesday and will be distributed shortly. At the cemetery, staff have planted the first of three flower deliveries.

Work has started at the Flats on the Town’s Canada 150 project. The project involves a retaining wall and a paved walking path. The project is targeting a completion date of July 1.

Town staff have started servicing the lots on Ellen Street. This first phase involves six residential lots with a frontage width of roughly 70 feet.  

Town crews have made two applications of dust suppressant material now.

Contractors have managed to get some crack sealing done in the Westcreek Area.