COLUMN: Report from the Legislature – Springfield, Niverville, Ritchot full of vibrancy

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 27/07/2023 (1196 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Throughout my time representing the communities of Niverville, Springfield and Ritchot, it has been an absolute pleasure to see the growth and vibrancy that each community experiences. Our communities are continually built up from hard work that its members put in to make them the places that people want to live. Our government has recognized this vibrancy, and that’s why I have had the pleasure of announcing over $293 million dollars in grants and funding for my local communities over the past 4 years. I want to take some time to review just a couple of these wonderful announcements.

First off is Niverville, the Hollywood of the North! Two months ago, I had the pleasure of taking part in an announcement of $50 million dollars of combined provincial and municipal funding for a movie studio, hotel, and highway upgrades. These upgrades to Niverville are possible due to the new wastewater treatment plant for $110 million that was announced last fall. This facility will increase the capabilities of Niverville, Taché, Hanover, and Ritchot to deal with and treat wastewater in our communities. There was also the $250,000 for expanded arena seating, allowing Niverville to be the newest community to have an MJHL team, the fantastic Niverville Nighthawks!

Next in Ritchot, I was pleased to take part in an announcement of $300,000 to replace the Ste Agathe Rink ice plant. This plant will allow the arena to function for many more years, continuing to be a place that families will be able to gather and build up the community. This was on top of the over $133,000 that was provided for multiple other community space upgrades. And who can forget the $61 million that has gone into upgrading Highway 75 to make it safer for daily commuters, or the same for the $8.8 million that was provided for upgrades and rehabilitation of Highway 59. All these investments are just some of the reasons for its continued growth and vibrancy.

Finally, in Springfield, there was $4.7 million for the Springfield Community Recreation Centre, a project that was 23 years in the making! Another project that will benefit the recreation of the community is the $300,000 that our government provided for a swimming pool complex in Dugald. Tying it all together is the $10 million our government is providing for a water plant that will allow for not just these projects to go ahead, but also provide the water supply needed for the future expansion of the community.

This is just some of the funding provided to the communities of Springfield, Niverville, and Ritchot. In total, over $293 million has been brought to our communities over the past four years, helping them stay as vibrant, growing places where families and friends love to gather for any occasion!

The work I value most is serving you and your family as your MLA for Springfield-Ritchot. I welcome any questions or comments by email to Ron@RonSchuler.com or by mail to Box 150, Oakbank, MB R0E 1J0.