Steinbach mayor announces reelection bid

Mayor Earl Funk will run for a third consecutive term as mayor of the City of Steinbach.

Announcing his plans on Tuesday, Funk has been on council for 16 years, two as councillor and two as mayor.

“We’ve done some really great things,” he said.

Funk said the community had incredible growth and he cited the completion of the Southeast Event Centre and infrastructure projects such as intersection improvements on Highway 12 as key accomplishments.

The expansion of the hospital and personal care home have also been bright spots for the community.

But Funk said it’s the importance of the upcoming term that has prompted him to run again.

“I believe this one will be building the foundation for a community that we could see doubling in size,” he said. “I think in the next 15 to 20 years you’ll see that.”

Since 2018 more than $800 million in permit values have been taken out in Steinbach.

In the last three years, the total was $425 million.

“The growth is actually multiplying,” he said. “This is going to be a pivotal term. We’re going to have to make some tough decisions as far as infrastructure and growth and recreation.”

“I want to build on the vision that was set and build a foundation that can be worked on,” he added. “I want to advocate for more. I want to get in front of more ministers and advocate for more funds for the city.”

Funk described the current relationship with provincial and federal counterparts as successful and said that’s necessary for projects to come to fruition.

One of those is the sewage and wastewater treatment facility which will be needed during the next term.

Estimated at $215 million, Funk said talks with provincial officials have already been positive, while federal talks are still upcoming.

“We need to make this a three-way partnership or we’re not going to get it done,” he said.

Funk is also pledging to take on what Steinbach needs by establishing a health-care advocacy team.

“We need to secure the additional services that our community needs, beyond just doctor recruitment and retention,” he said. “We need to focus on women’s health services, specialists, diagnostics imaging, home care and personal care home capacity as well.”

Funk said too often people that have grown up in the community and spent their whole lives there are moved to a distant community when they need a personal care home, making their final years more challenging for them and their families.

Recreation is also important to Funk who said an indoor soccer facility is still on the agenda, though he stopped short of offering a date it could open.

“It might be 10 to 12 years, but we will start working on it,” he said.

The growth of Steinbach Arts Council and their programming haven’t gone unnoticed.

“They won’t be able to be in their building forever so we’re going to be having to work with the province and federal government,” he said.

While the wish list for the community is long, Funk said building partnerships is key.

He pointed to the Southeast Event Centre which not only benefited from three levels of government but also private donors.

“The Event Centre would have never happened without the province, the federal government, the municipal government and let’s never discount the huge amount of money that we got from private industry,” he said.

The City of Steinbach has a history of allowing incumbent mayors to run unopposed leading to their acclamation.

And while Funk admits it’s a good feeling to be acclaimed, he said he’s ready for a campaign.

“I do believe that when there is a vote, when the community comes out to vote, I believe they’re served well,” he said. “I’m up for the challenge.”

The next general municipal election in Manitoba takes place Oct. 28.