GROWTH DEPENDANT ON INFRASTRUCTURE While Springfield has made progress across many areas, its ability to move forward at scale remains constrained by water and sewer capacity. The municipality is currently awaiting an environmental license for its new water treatment plant, a process that has proven lengthy and unpredictable. “We are still waiting for our environmental license,” says Patrick Therrien, Mayor of the RM of Springfield. “It is taking an exorbitant amount of time, but it remains a work in progress.” As Springfield advances a broad portfolio of projects ranging from senior housing and recreation facilities to industrial expansion and climate planning, municipal leaders are focused on balancing growth with long-term sustainability. Their approach reflects a municipality that is not reacting to growth pressures but actively planning for them in a way that supports community wellbeing, accessibility, and economic resilience. IMPROVING MOBILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY While water infrastructure remains central to Springfield’s long-term growth, steady progress continues across transportation and pedestrian improvements throughout the municipality, reinforcing a focus on safety, accessibility, and connectivity. This year, Springfield completed a road rehabilitation project using a new construction method.As Colleen Draper, Chief Administrative Officer, explains, the pilot involved removing the existing roadway, stabilizing the base, and rebuilding the surface on one of Oakbank’s main roads.The project served as a test case for more efficient and durable approaches to future road renewal. Pedestrian upgrades have also been prioritized, particularly in older neighbourhoods where infrastructure no longer meets accessibility standards. Interlocking brick sidewalks in parts of Oakbank were replaced with concrete along Main Street and nearby routes, creating safer, smoother connections to key community facilities, including the arena and seniors’ home. Pathway development remains a core element of Springfield’s planning philosophy. As Draper notes, walkability is essential to building livable communities, supporting safe movement for seniors, students, and families alike. That focus extends to newer developments such as Dugald, where pathways are integrated with retention ponds to provide both functional and recreational space. Enhanced pedestrian crosswalks with additional lighting have also been added in Oakbank and Dugald, improving safety and reducing risk, particularly for seniors. 165 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 07, ISSUE 01 RM OF SPRINGFIELD, MB
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