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Message from our co-chairs

ALSO IN THIS EDITION:• Messages from our local leaders• Latest news from the RPSCA• Profile of River Park Flooring

It took some time and effort, but here we are - welcome to our inaugural River Park South

Community Association (RPSCA) newsletter!

For those who may not have already heard, River Park South has developed its own community association. There had been discussions buzzing around for the better part of a year regarding community events, as well as various concerns and questions around the neighbourhood. Last year, a group of community-minded volunteers organized a few meetings to try and launch a community organization. With the support of city councillors Janice Lukes and Brian Mayes, as well as MLAs Rochelle Squires and Janice Morley-Lecomte, the group officially took off in late fall 2017.

The borders of our area of South St. Vital are from Nova Vista Drive to the north, St. Mary’s Road to the west, the Perimeter Highway to the south and the Seine River to the east. The RPSCA is one of the largest - if not the largest – community associations in the city.

We have surveyed some ideas from other community

associations around our area, including the Bridgwater Lakes / Forest / Trails Neighbourhood Associations, the Sage Creek Residents’ Association, the Island Lakes Residents’ Group and the Normand Park Residents Association, and have incorporated them into the development of the RPSCA. We hope the direction we are taking will be useful to all River Park South residents. Suggestions, comments and concerns to improve the association are always welcome.

We held our first community event over the holidays, a holiday decorating contest, which was an overwhelming success based on the interest and participation it generated (see article on page 4). The success of the event couldn’t have happened without hard work by some of our board members and volunteers to organize and promote the event. Thank you all!

We are planning more upcoming events, including a spring clean-up day and a Canada Day celebration. To make these events successful, an army of volunteers is needed to help out. Whether you’d like to help organize or run the event,

participate wherever needed, or just spread the word to your friends and neighbours, any and all interest is needed and appreciated. Our community can only be as great as the people who live in it.

Please take the time to come to one of our meetings and voice your opinions and suggestions. This is a group for all residents to take part in. Our meeting dates and contact information are posted on our website at www.rpscommunity.com.

For the latest information about the RPSCA, please follow us on social media:

Facebook: @rpscommunity Twitter: @rpsca_wpg Instagram: @rpsca_wpg

Thank you for all of your support so far! We look forward to continuing to grow the association in 2018 and beyond, and are excited to see what the future holds.

Your RPSCA co-chairs,

Janelle Berard and Glenn Churchill

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION March 2018NEWSLETTER

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Message from Councillor Brian Mayes St. Vital ward

In October 2018, I plan to run again in the St. Vital ward, but due to upcoming changes in city ward boundaries, the River Park South area will be part of the new St. Norbert-Seine River ward. It has been an honour to represent River Park South over the past six years and I appreciate the chance to say thank you!

Prior to my election, I was not very familiar with the River Park South area, since, like many of those who grew up with me in the 1970s in St. Vital, the area south of Nova Vista was “all the new stuff.” I have come to appreciate the community as your elected representative. It has been very rewarding taking the lead on projects like city funding for the Collège Jeanne-Sauvé expansion, securing a new play structure on Aldgate or getting a new sidewalk on Compark. On other files, I have had the pleasure of playing a supporting role, most notably on the expansion of the Dakota Community Centre.

Ironically, it is one of the smallest cost items that I am most proud of: turning the two-way stop at Warde and Ashworth into a four-way stop. It was not

glamourous and took several years, but with community support, it was a file where persistence paid off.

I think it’s great that a River Park South residents’ association has been created – people should be proud of this area and the sense of community that has been created. It’s not just “the new stuff” - it’s the neighbourhood of River Park South.

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COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

River Park South Community Associationwww.rpscommunity.com2

Message from Councillor Janice Lukes South Winnipeg-St. Norbert ward

Lots to report happening in the east side of the South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Ward!

I’ve focused the bulk of my River Park South time these past three years working with Michele Augert (CEO of the Dakota Community Centre), a crew of construction people and the city’s permit department to build the new Dakota Fieldhouse, a jewel for the residents of South St. Vital!

When I was elected, funding was in place and the land was secured, but there had been no forward movement on construction. Together the team focused and in record time, the Fieldhouse was constructed. Recently we also announced the construction of a $500,000 fully accessible outdoor skating rink behind the Fieldhouse, which will be in operation winter 2019 (or Christmas if the weather allows). Again, lots of behind-the-scenes work to secure the partnerships and funding. I’ve also secured funding to construct a new pathway leading from Sandrington Drive along the Dakota Park to the Fieldhouse, and we’re aiming for fall construction. I’ve installed play structures at Malala and Van Hull Parks, provided funding for park and greenspace enhancements at Henteleff and Normand Parks, am working on development projects on St. Mary’s Road and installed traffic calming improvements on Aldgate Road.

Last fall, a ward boundary review was conducted and one of the results is the entire River Park South community south of Nova Vista, between the Red River to the Seine River, will now be under the watch of one councillor. This will prove to be very positive for the community in many ways.

Huge thanks to the River Park South Community Association and the efforts underway to keep the community informed through newsletters, Facebook and Twitter, and I look forward to future opportunities to submit more updates to area residents!

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River Park South Community Associationwww.rpscommunity.com

With the house not currently in session, I have enjoyed spending time in the community meeting with many individuals.

I have met with individuals from an apartment block, who were concerned over a proposed 13 per cent increase to their rent. After discussions, phone calls, petitions and an inquiry to the Residential Tenancies Board, the tenants were able to negotiate a more equitable rent increase.

Seniors Games were hosted in February at the Seine River Retirement Residence. It is an engaging week of athletic activities that showcase the varied skills of our seniors. All individuals were winners at this year’s games. A special congratulation to Ms. Kathleen Mitchner and Mr. Roy Light for winning national medals in their events.

As February is I Love to Read Month, I had the opportunity to visit with Highbury and Samuel Burland schools and read to Grade 5 students and donate some new books to their school library. I have also met with various Parent Advisory Committees to listen to concerns and suggestions, and to get a better understanding of educational issues from those who are involved with the school system at a grassroots level.

It was an honour to, again, host with colleagues a Sunday lunch at the Hindu Temple on St. Anne’s Road. Being part of the celebration was a great experience for all of us.

I also recently attended the Mustangs’ annual general meeting, where I had the opportunity to talk with community members. Congratulations to all who so tirelessly dedicated their time and talent to the success of the Mustangs Football Club.

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It has been almost two years since I was first elected as your MLA for Riel, and I cannot thank you enough for your loyalty and support.

While my work at the Manitoba Legislature has kept me busy since my appointment, the work that is near and dear to my heart is representing you and your family. I appreciate every opportunity to make a positive difference within our constituency, and I would like you to know I am here to serve you.

To that end, I host regular coffee and conversations at my constituency office located at unit 5-140 Meadowood Drive to discuss any matters that are of importance to you. I encourage you to come by to join our conversation group, and we can discuss any issues or concerns you may have.

If you would like to be informed of all of our upcoming events and announcements, you can subscribe to my monthly newsletter. Please contact my office by phone at 204-615-5241 or email rochelle@rochellesquires.ca and we will put you on our electronic mailing list.

I am honoured to be a part of this community, and allowing me to hear your concerns and act as your voice is a privilege I do not take for granted. Please do not hesitate to contact me by phone or email if you have any questions or if you should require my assistance.

Message from Hon. Rochelle Squires MLA for Riel

Message from Janice Morley-Lecomte MLA for Seine River

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

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Holiday decorating contest a hit

The weather outside may have been frightful, but holiday spirits were at an all-time high in December, thanks to

the decorations and lights adorning many River Park South homes.

Established in late 2017, the River Park South Community Association (RPSCA) planned a holiday decorating contest as its inaugural event. In addition to introducing the association to the community, the event allowed residents to engage in friendly competition with their neighbours while adding to the festive feel of the neighbourhood.

Winners Ron and Bethany Swain were thrilled to compete in the contest. Their John Forsyth Road home was voted the best-decorated house in an RPSCA Facebook poll, netting them a $400 gift card generously provided by Lacoste Garden Centre.

Thank you to all of our volunteers who made our first event possible!

Want to help us light up the neighbourhood next holiday season? Watch the RPSCA website and social media in fall 2018 for information about the second annual holiday decorating contest!

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COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

River Park South Community Associationwww.rpscommunity.com

Pictured: Bethany and Ron Swain, winners of the first annual River Park South holiday decorating contest, stand in front of their winning house

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COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

River Park South Community Associationwww.rpscommunity.com

News from the RPSCA

Spring clean-upSpring has nearly sprung – now let’s beautify our neighbourhood, one piece of garbage at a time!

We’re looking for local residents to participate in a clean-up day in River Park South on Saturday, May 5, 2018. Make sure to follow us on social media and visit our website to find out how you can sign up for the clean-up day and make River Park South cleaner and greener this spring! More information coming soon!

Canada Day celebrationWhat better way to celebrate our country than by spending it with friends and family, right in our own neighbourhood?

We’re in the early stages of planning a Canada Day event so stay tuned to our social media and website for more information about the event in the coming months!

We want to hear from you!Please take a few minutes to answer our survey, available here. Your feedback will be used to gauge the needs and priorities of our residents, and guide the planning of future events and initiatives.

For more information about who we are and what we’re planning, visit our website at www.rpscommunity.com or follow us on Facebook (@rpscommunity), Instagram (@rpsca_wpg) and Twitter (@rpsca_wpg).

RPSCA executive committee openingsWe are looking for a volunteer director! As volunteer director, you will recruit and coordinate volunteers for events, and actively promote community activities to obtain new volunteers.

Sound like the perfect fit? For more information about the position and time commitment, email us at riverparksouthcommunity@gmail.com. (Please note this is an unpaid position.)

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Area news / bits and bites

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COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

River Park South Community Associationwww.rpscommunity.com6

Did you know...?…River Park South has native grasses along the Perimeter Highway between St. Anne’s Road and St. Mary’s Road? Check out the Qualico website for more tidbits about the community, including a list of local schools and amenities.

….the Winnipeg Trails Association offers a trail map – along with fast facts and points of interest – for the South St. Vital Trail? Happy trails to you!

...the Louis Riel School Division (www.lrsd.net) has up-to-date information on initiatives and events, as well as a division calendar, leadership blog and links to the division’s social media accounts? The Division scolaire franco-manitobaine also has websites for River Park South-area schools École Christine-Lespérance and Centre scolaire Léo-Rémillard.

…you can search for volunteer opportunities on the Volunteer Manitoba website? It also offers a free referral service to match you with agencies who are looking for volunteers.

…the Louis Riel Library (1168 Dakota St.) hosts a number of different programs for all ages? Some upcoming events include: • Cooking with Indian Spices (March 24) • Knitting Book Club (April 3) • Pre-School Story Time, Time for Twos and Baby Rhyme Time (multiple dates) • For a full listing and registration information, visit the Louis Riel Library website.

…you can view public skating times at the Dakota Community Centre online? Visit https://dakotacc.com/56/public-skating and hit the ice!

New ward boundaries coming soon

The Winnipeg Wards Boundaries Commission recently announced changes to the electoral map, which will come into effect in September 2018.

River Park South is currently divided between the current St. Vital and South Winnipeg-St. Norbert wards, represented by Councillor Brian Mayes and Councillor Janice Lukes, respectively.

As the new St. Vital ward will have a southern boundary at Nova Vista, River Park South will move into the reconfigured St. Norbert ward. Councillors Mayes and Lukes have put forward a motion to expand the name of the new ward to St. Norbert-Seine River.

We will continue to cover these changes as the election draws nearer.

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Spotlight on River Park Flooring

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COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

River Park South Community Associationwww.rpscommunity.com

In every issue of our newsletter, we will feature a local River Park South business. In this issue, we are profiling River Park Flooring at 1669 St. Mary’s Road.

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Locally owned and operated, River Park Flooring recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary, which it attributes, in part,

to the loyalty of area residents.

“The loyalty of River Park South residents is really evident with the number of repeat cus-tomers and referrals we receive from the area,” says co-owner Curtis Rossow, who established the company with fellow co-owner Gord Kostick.

“Gord and I had worked at another flooring company together,” says Rossow. “We decided to start our own company and wanted to stay in the River Park South area. Our niche is home renos and we knew we could continue to do that in River Park South.”

A retail floor covering store, River Park Flooring offers flooring renovations and new installations for both residential and commercial customers. In addition to customer loyalty, Rossow attri-butes the company’s success to its commitment to service.

“We are a small, service-driven company. We want to make sure people get the right product for the right application, and we’re prepared to

spend that time and have that conversation to ensure it’s the right product for them,” he says.

The River Park Flooring team also looks for ways to show gratitude to the community. Last summer, they donated almost 70 area rugs - in fun children’s prints – to schools in the Louis Riel School Division.

“We know school budgets are tight and we know the number of requests we receive for carpet [from schools], so we wanted to give back to the community,” says Rossow.

Rossow looks forward to continuing to grow the company in the future, and is excited to see what the future holds.

“I think we’ll continue to grow because of the people in this community – we’re not just serving the River Park South area but more of Winnipeg because of word-of-mouth advertising,” he says.

For more information about the company, visit the River Park Flooring website at www.riverparkflooring.ca.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.rpscommunity.com

The River Park South Community Association is dedicated to fostering a sense of community and making River Park South

an even greater place to live. Get involved today!

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU

Follow us on social media! Facebook: @rpscommunity Instagram: @rpsca_wpg Twitter: @rpsca_wpg