1946 – 2026 Watching Steinbach Grow: Barkman family donates $50,000 to develop park

MAY 24, 1999—A Steinbach family trust has donated $50,000 to the City of Steinbach to build a park shelter honoring K.R. Barkman, the town’s first mayor.

Alan Barkman, representing the Barkman Concrete Foundation and the family that owns the company, made the official presentation to city council. Joining Barkman for the presentation to council were his parents, Peter, son of Steinbach’s first mayor after incorporation in 1946, and Betty Barkman.

Alan told council the family wished to develop the park, named after his grandfather some years ago, as a place where families and other groups could gather. He said he hoped the shelter would be used by performing groups for outdoor concerts.

The six-sided post-and-beam gazebo, measuring 24 feet across at the base, featuring soaring roof lines, was designed by Wayne Peters of Randolph, who operates a timber frame business. Construction would begin immediately, with completion scheduled for July 1.

A smaller gazebo at the park, located just east of the fire hall, will be moved to another location to accommodate the new shelter.

Mayor Les Magnusson and his council applauded the announcement and he commended the Barkman family for their gift.

“This is an excellent, excellent opportunity to recognize the town’s first mayor.”

Coun. Elbert Toews praised the project for its recognition of the community’s heritage, while Councillor Art Rempel said he was “overwhelmed by the generosity.”

Coun. Ken Friesen commented that the construction of the shelter recalls the timber frame building styles of some of the early Mennonites in Europe and Asia.

Coun. Dwight Reimer noted the town’s first water and sewer project was under Mayor K.R. Barkman and was instrumental in putting Steinbach on the path to future growth and success.

K.R. Barkman became Steinbach’s first mayor, when the town was incorporated after seceding from the RM of Hanover in 1946.

His council oversaw the first major expenditure of the newly-incorporated town nine years later, when they floated a $500,000 debenture to install the first water and sewer lines.

The pump house and the underground reservoir constructed at the time are still in use adjacent to the park named after Mayor Barkman.

K.R. Barkman, who ran a hardware store and plumbing business with his sons, was mayor of Steinbach until 1958, when he passed the gavel to L.A. Barkman.

K.R. Barkman died in 1979 at the age of 86.