The federal and provincial governments are collaborating with the City of Brandon to develop affordable housing for the community with a 48-unit complex at the site of the former Fleming School. The affordable housing complex will include 42 two-bedroom and six three-bedroom units. Eight of the units on the main floor will be accessible for persons with disabilities or mobility issues. Manitoba Families Minister Rochelle Squires noted that rents at the new complex must remain affordable for 20 years. The governments of Canada and Manitoba are providing $1.56 million over two years for the $11-million project, with a potential for future investments as it progresses. Squires noted the $1.56-million investment is made possible through the National Housing Strategy bilateral agreement, which was signed by the governments of Canada and Manitoba in 2019 to ensure families, Indigenous communities and vulnerable Canadians can count on long-term funding for community housing in Manitoba. The City of Brandon is contributing $1.56 million from provincial grant funding to ensure the rental housing project is 100 per cent affordable. The city will also provide the proponent with a 20-year offsetting grant equal to 50 per cent of the municipal tax payable and is providing the land valued at more than $1 million. The project will be led by private developer Kirk Brugger. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2022. Quotes “Our Government is helping ensure that every Canadian has a safe and affordable place to call home. Our investments, through the National Housing Strategy, will go a long way to effectively support those who need it most, both in Brandon and across the country. This is the National Housing Strategy at work.” – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation “Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. It is with great pleasure that our government, through the National Housing Strategy, is supporting initiatives like this affordable housing project in Brandon. Our government is working collaboratively with the government of Manitoba to build strong communities where Canadian families can prosper and thrive, now and for the future.” – Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development “Our government will always be there to help those in need, which is why we are investing in this important project. Under our government’s National Housing Strategy, we are working with our partners to build safe and affordable homes here in Brandon, and across the province. I want to thank everyone involved as together we are building a generation of new, permanent housing that we can all be proud of.” – Terry Duguid, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South “Our government continues to make important investments in affordable housing, so that all families in Manitoba, including those with lower incomes, can have a safe place to call home. Affordable housing creates benefits that last a lifetime and strengthen our communities and province as a whole. We are pleased to collaborate with our partners on this important project.”– Manitoba Families Minister Rochelle Squires “The City of Brandon has partnered with the Province of Manitoba and other participating partners on a number of recent projects that support affordable housing in our community. I am pleased to note that today’s announcement brings the total number of provincially partnered new housing units to 129 affordable units and 15 market units.” – Rick Chrest, Mayor, City of Brandon “This project is very close to my heart, and we are excited to work with the governments of Canada, Manitoba and Brandon to create affordable housing for families in Brandon. My dad was my hero and he taught me about community and philanthropy. Ten years ago this summer we lost our daughter Kayleigh and her boyfriend Paul in an accident. Kayleigh volunteered to teach English to immigrant children, and Paul came from a hard-working immigrant family that still calls Brandon home. We dedicate this project in their memory.” – Kirk Brugger, developer and project lead Quick Facts • Since 2016, the Manitoba government has supported the creation of 743 new affordable and social housing rental units. As well, the province has supported home ownership for more than 220 households through partnerships with municipalities, non-profit organizations and other agencies. The province will continue to protect and support vulnerable Manitobans through the development of affordable housing. • In addition to this investment, the Manitoba government has invested more than $5.2 million to develop 96 new rental, co-operative or single-family homes for low-income to moderate-income families in Brandon since 2018, and provided more than $4.1 million in municipal grant funding to the City of Brandon in March 2021. • The National Housing Strategy (NHS) is the Government of Canada’s 10-year, $70+ billion plan that will give more Canadians a place to call home – this includes more than $13 billion committed through the 2020 Fall Economic Statement. • The NHS is built on strong partnerships between federal, provincial and territorial governments, and on continuous engagement with others, including municipalities, Indigenous governments and organizations, and the social and private sectors to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Canadians. The province will continue to protect and support vulnerable Manitobans through the development of affordable housing. (Province of MB News Release)

Shortly before 12:00am on Tuesday Brandon Fire and Emergency Services and Brandon Police Service responded to the 600 block of Van Horne Avenue for a structure fire. Flames could be seen coming from multiple holes in the roof of the multi-story house, and a large burn mark was visible on the west side of the building which stretched from the ground all the way up to the roof. The building appeared to have been previously boarded up, which may have posed challenges for fire crews. Brandon Fire utilized their Quint ladder truck for "master stream operations" and used the water stream to get water into the attic and upper floors of the house. Fire crews were on scene past 4:00am and were still spraying water into the building. No word on cause or if there were any injuries.

Source: Brandon Police Service Media Release On July 25, 2021, police responded to a report of a disturbance in a residence shortly after 10:00 pm.  An investigation in to the matter revealed that a 41-year-old male and a 22-year-old female forced their way into a residence on Basswood Bay and proceeded to assault the residents while attempting to steal cash.  Police arrested the two suspects at the residence.  One of the residents received injuries, but declined medical attention. Further investigation revealed that the suspects possessed an airsoft pistol during the robbery. The 41-year-old male suspect was to abide by a Release Order not to possess weapons or attend Brandon.  He was lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court today on charges of Break and Enter and Commit, Armed Robbery, Assault with a Weapon, Forcible Confinement, and Fail to Comply with Release Order X2. The 22-year-old female suspect was found to be wanted on outstanding charges of Fail to Comply with Probation.  She was also lodged at Brandon Police Service and will appear in court on additional charges of Break and Enter and Commit, Armed Robbery, Assault with a Weapon, Forcible Confinement.

City of Brandon Parks & Recreation Services is excited to announce that the city is hosting several events to mark the official celebration of Manitoba’s 150th Anniversary. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the city is hosting a week-long celebration from September 19th to 25th, in partnership with Manitoba 150. Events include a drive-thru pancake breakfast, scavenger hunts, and a drive-in movie! Celebrate 150 Free Drive-Thru Pancake Breakfast Date: September 19th Time: 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. (or until supplies last) Location: TBD Celebrate 150 Scavenger Hunts Date: September 19th – 25th Time: Dawn to Dusk Location: TBD Celebrate 150 Drive-In Movie Date: September 25th Time: Dusk Movie: The Journey Home Location: Keystone Centre Parking Lot Celebrate 150 Pop-Up Performances In addition to this week-long celebration, the city is also thrilled to present an exciting spur-of-the-moment pop-up performance series. These performances will take place at various locations around the city, featuring local talent from Brandon and the Westman region. Watch for these short events in parks, green spaces, and bustling corners around the city throughout July, August, and September. For more information on these events, please visit City of Brandon - Celebrate 150. (City of Brandon PSA)

The Kiwanis Club of Brandon received a contribution to their accessible playground project at the Laurence and Louise community park this past week from Westoba Credit Union. This community space, identified by the city of Brandon as in greatest need, will be transformed into a  fully accessible park including separate junior and senior play areas, each with multiple types of play equipment including group and individual activities. “Investing in our community is a priority for us,” said Patti McEvoy, 1st & McTavish, Westoba Branch  Manager. “Our staff live and work here; it’s exciting to support this project and make use of the space when it’s complete.” Long term goals for the project feature an open play field, accessible pathways and more. “The plan  includes a toboggan and play hill for winter and summer activities, seniors’ corner with horseshoe pitch  and chess tables, family shelter, picnic areas, climbing area, and a community garden,” said Frank Thomas, Chair of the Kiwanis Club of Brandon Special Projects Committee. The Kiwanis Club of Brandon is a not-for-profit club under the international Kiwanis Club umbrella.” Our  motto is ‘Serving the Children of the World’, this project fills our need to support children, especially  those with challenges and the community at the same time,” said Thomas. Progress of the park is dependent on funding and will be completed in a phased approach. Priority is being given to the accessible equipment with equipment installation starting mid-August. (submitted)