1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Clearspring Centre renovation complete

NOVEMBER 12, 2001—Steinbach MLA Jim Penner cut the ribbon to officially mark the completion of a $2.5 million renovation at Clearspring Centre in Steinbach, which had been opened in May of 1980 under the name of Clearspring Village.

Former co-owner Jim Penner (he has sold his interest in the mall to family members and is now the MLA for Steinbach), recalled making the decision to go ahead with construction of the shopping centre in partnership with local businessman Ernie Penner, after realizing the physical inadequacies of their old business locations.

At the time, he was owner of Penner Foods, which he operated until selling the group of stores to the IGA chain of national supermarkets in 1998. Ernie Penner, who sold his share of the mall to Jim Penner in 1996, owned E.G. Penner Building Centre, since relocated in a new freestanding site across the street from the Clearspring complex.

The first phase of renovations included major re-roofing, new heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, new floor tiles, a new ceiling with additional skylights and new lighting.

Future phases of redevelopment call for the opening of additional retail outlets and a food court.

The mall currently contains more than 30 retail outlets and employs about 450 people.