City of Brandon Spray Parks will open for the season on Fri, June 5, 2026. Spray Parks operate daily throughout the summer months, weather permitting. All locations are free and available on a first‑come, first‑served basis. Unsupervised Spray Parks   Kin Park – Aberdeen Ave & 1st St Valleyview Community Centre – 77 Whillier Dr Stanley Park – 1500 block of Princess Ave (opening delayed to Wed, June 10) Hours of Operation: June and July: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily August: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily Supervised Spray Parks & Paddle Pools   Rideau Park – 305 Park St Westridge Spray Park & Paddle Pool – 61 Silverbirch Dr Hours of Operation: June: 4–8 p.m. Monday–Friday; 12 Noon–8 p.m. Saturday & Sunday July: 12 Noon–8 p.m. daily August: 12 Noon–7 p.m. daily For full details, visit: brandon.ca/parks-recreation/parks-and-greenspaces/spray-parks-and-paddle-pools

Music lovers and collectors will soon have a new destination to explore as Sunshine Records prepares to open its doors at Shoppers Mall in Brandon. The new store is expected to offer a wide selection of vinyl records, CDs, movies, collectibles, and pop culture merchandise, bringing a unique retail experience to shoppers in the city. The addition comes as Shoppers Mall continues to attract new tenants and diversify its mix of retailers. The mall is home to more than 80 stores and services and remains one of western Manitoba's largest shopping destinations. For vinyl enthusiasts, the arrival of Sunshine Records will provide a welcome opportunity to browse both new and classic albums without leaving the city. The growing popularity of vinyl records has helped fuel renewed interest in music-focused retail stores across Canada, with collectors seeking everything from new releases to timeless classics. In addition to music, the store is expected to carry a variety of entertainment-related products, including movies, gifts, and collectibles that appeal to a wide range of ages and interests. An official opening date has not yet been announced, but anticipation is already building among local music fans eager to see what Sunshine Records will bring to Brandon's retail landscape. The opening represents another positive addition for Shoppers Mall, giving residents and visitors another reason to visit the shopping centre while supporting the continued growth of retail offerings in the community.

A great turnout for Westman Communications Group’s (WCG) annual  Connecting Westman Tour kickoff on May 28, 2026, resulted in $5,809.10 raised for the Souris  Early Years School Playground. The total includes a matched donation from WCG, providing a  major financial boost toward upgrading the school's outdoor play spaces. These enhancements  will give students a vibrant environment to develop physical skills, build social ties, and spark  their creativity.  Designed to amplify local giving, the Connecting Westman Tour features a series of community  barbecue lunches hosted by WCG throughout the summer season. For a simple donation,  guests can enjoy a lunch of hot dogs, smokies, chips, and drinks, knowing that 100 percent of  the funds go straight to a nominated neighbourhood charity. WCG then matches the day's total,  effectively doubling the community's investment in its own grassroots projects.  “We couldn't have asked for a better start to the 2026 Connecting Westman Tour,” said WCG  Marketing Manager, Brandi Crowe. “WCG is deeply grateful to everyone who came out to  support the Souris Early Years School Playground. Investing in spaces where local children can  thrive, play, and build connections is exactly what this tour is about. We are excited to carry this  community spirit forward into our next three stops over the summer.”  The Connecting Westman Tour is just one of the many ways WCG actively engages with the  communities it serves, demonstrating its commitment not just as a service provider but as a  dedicated community partner. Remaining stops on the 2026 Connecting Westman Tour include  Glenboro (June 25), Winnipegosis (July 23), and Pilot Mound (August 27). For more information about Westman Communications Group and the Connecting Westman  Tour, or to submit a community initiative for funding consideration, please visit westmancom.com. 

The City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services is thrilled to announce the return of Music in the Park for summer 2026, our community’s favourite tradition of live outdoor music in Princess Park. These FREE weekly performances showcase an incredible range of local talent, celebrating the musical artistry found throughout Western Manitoba. Concerts run every Tuesday from June 2 through Aug. 25, weather permitting, with all shows beginning at 6:30 p.m. This year’s full performance lineup will be available at brandon.ca/music. Audience members are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket, and plenty of summer spirit as they enjoy an evening of live music under the open sky. The City of Brandon extends heartfelt thanks to all performers, sponsors, and community members for helping keep this vibrant summer tradition alive.

Provincial Trunk Highway 34 (PTH 34) has been named Manitoba’s worst road for the second year in a row, according to the results of the 2026 CAA Worst Roads campaign. The Pembina Valley highway, located west of Winnipeg, has previously appeared on the provincial top ten list seven times, and this is the second consecutive year it has claimed the top spot. Manitobans who nominated PTH 34 did so because of potholes, poor maintenance, and uneven road surfaces. “The roads on this list reflect what Manitobans experience every day,” says Ewald Friesen, manager of government and community relations for CAA Manitoba. “Manitobans want roads that are safe, reliable and properly maintained, whether they live in Winnipeg or in a rural community. This year, 711 roads across 69 municipalities were nominated for the top spot. The most common concerns cited were potholes, poor maintenance and uneven road surfaces. “This year’s list shows that road issues are not just a Winnipeg problem or a rural problem, they’re a Manitoba problem,” Friesen said. “There is an even split between rural and urban roads on the provincial list.” Many of the roads identified are major commuter, trade and connector routes relied on by families and businesses. As governments focus on inter-provincial trade, congestion in Winnipeg and critical road safety issues, investments in the roads and highways are more important than ever. “When key routes fall into disrepair, it affects more than just convenience,” Friesen said. “Vehicle repair costs go up, fuel efficiency goes down, and delays increase. That adds pressure to already stretched household budgets and affects our economy.” Repeated nominations often signal that communities want long-term solutions, not temporary fixes. Several roads that have appeared on past lists are now under construction, resurfaced or scheduled for rehabilitation. “We’ve seen that sustained public input makes a difference,” Friesen said. “The CAA Worst Roads campaign gives governments a clear snapshot of where funding and attention are wanted most.” CAA Manitoba is urging provincial and municipal governments to continue prioritizing predictable, year-over-year investment in road maintenance and safety. “Stable funding allows governments to plan ahead, address safety concerns earlier and avoid higher costs later,” Friesen said. “It’s about keeping people safe and keeping Manitoba moving.” Top 10 worst roads in Manitoba for 2026 Provincial Trunk Highway 34 — Central Plains/Pembina Valley Provincial Road 307 — Whiteshell Kenaston Boulevard/Route 90 — Winnipeg Saskatchewan Avenue — Winnipeg Richmond Avenue — Brandon Gateway Road — Winnipeg Leila Avenue — Winnipeg 1st Street — Brandon Provincial Road 422 — Pembina Valley St. Mary’s Road — Winnipeg For more information and historical results, please visit: https://www.caamanitoba.com/advocacy/government-relations/worst-roads