Winkler, Manitoba

and 2021 is viewed as a big opportunity for even more construction. Although, as Harder admits, “We’re at a bit of a disadvantage because we don’t have old buildings to be re-tooled into mixed-use developments. We have some mixed- use buildings, but they are new. Downtown we’re fortunate to the have Winkler Co-op, the C. W. Wiebe Medical Centre, and some smaller boutiques; all attract a lot of traffic.” Toews explains that Winkler’s developments and projects promote green initiatives, noting, “We’re always ensuring we have an environmental lens and everything is in good condition for continued growth. The recent MEC is a perfect example. We constructed it beyond the National Energy Code of Canada’s requirements. Choosing higher efficiency HVAC equipment allowed us to lower our environmental footprint.” Penner adds that the province is built on a renewable energy source, generating almost 100 percent renewable electricity. He acknowledges, “Growth and sustainability are the keys to any community’s survival, including water and wastewater. Despite Manitoba’s many lakes, we’re in a water poor area. We have innovative water projects like naturally recharging our underground aquifer to ensure its long-term sustainability. We’re also waiting for possible funding from the Infrastructure Canada Funding Program to construct a new wastewater treatment facility in the region.” As a community, Winkler is always looking ahead, focusing on the city’s future. “The Growing Winkler Secondary Plan provides vision and framework for future growth in undeveloped areas,” says Toews. “We must anticipate future development needs. Developers then know the expectations and can quickly handle proposals for our review. The city is also revising its existing zoning by-laws, making them more user- friendly. We’re using plain language so it’s easier for the community to understand and approach WINKLER , MANI TOBA