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)

The Manitoba government is providing $2 million to establish and operate a sobering centre in the city of Brandon, Justice Minister Cameron Friesen announced here today. “Sobering centres offer an effective alternative to police and hospital-based responses to public intoxication, while keeping Manitobans safe,” said Friesen. “The Brandon Sobering Centre will provide a safe setting for individuals needing short-term recovery, and support our government’s commitment to improving the health and wellness of all Manitobans.” The Brandon Sobering Centre will provide a 24-7 safe and secure environment for non-violent, publicly intoxicated individuals to stay while the effects of drugs and/or alcohol wear off. Public intoxication continues to be a significant health and safety issue in Brandon and the surrounding area. Currently, the Brandon Police Service responds to over 1,000 calls for service annually where drugs and alcohol are considered a factor in the event. These incidents place a significant burden on the health-care and justice systems. This funding builds on a partnership with the City of Brandon, and other stakeholders, to develop a community safety and well-being strategy, which includes a sobering centre, the minister noted. “The addition of a sobering centre for our area will provide a more appropriate and services-oriented approach to serving people dealing with addictions,” said Mayor Rick Chrest, City of Brandon. “This will be a benefit to those who require assistance and to our police service personnel who are on the front line rendering assistance to individuals experiencing public intoxication.” “We at the Brandon Police Service are thrilled to see this sobering center become a reality,” said Randy Lewis, deputy chief, Brandon Police Service. “We have been involved in discussions with community advocates and the provincial government for some time now, and it is safe to say that we support this initiative fully. We have long recognized that our cells were not the proper place for someone with a drug or alcohol addiction to sober up and the new sobering centre will provide the proper care to these individuals. I believe that this sobering center will enhance overall community safety by freeing up officer time, which will allow them to return to their duties more quickly where they can focus their efforts on criminal activity and targeting those that make a living from trafficking drugs.” Friesen noted the new sobering centre aligns with a number of key recommendations resulting from provincial reports and strategic initiatives, including Manitoba’s Policing and Public Safety Strategy, released in 2019, which calls for government to support law enforcement and community stakeholders to combat and reduce public intoxication and alleviate extraneous demands on police officers. The establishment of a sobering centre also supports the Canadian Mental Health Association action plan on the Brandon region. The Manitoba government continues to support law enforcement and community stakeholders in approaches to combat and reduce public intoxication and disorder, and has made significant investments in mental health and addictions services since October 2019, including more than $51.3 million in more than 34 projects and initiatives. (Province of MB News Release)

Westoba Credit Union is proud to be a Platinum Sponsor of the Manitoba 150 – Tour 150 art exhibit. Tour 150 will travel across the province to communities this summer (and for years to come!) in celebration of Qaumajuq, the new Inuit art centre at the Winnipeg Art Gallery, with vehicle support from Birchwood. The custom retrofitted tour vehicle, named Nakatamaakewin [na-kah-tah-MAA-kaywin], a Michif name gifted by Language Keeper and Elder Verna Demontigny meaning “to leave something behind,” will bring a culturally rich and diverse display of art to communities across the province. The vehicle is wrapped in the beautiful artwork of local Inuit artist Kailey Sheppard and depicts the natural beauty of our province. Inside is a collection of Inuit art in soapstone, felt, print, textiles, and other materials. Westoba will host this event in the following communities: • The Pas – Thursday, July 29th, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM • Brandon Kirkaldy Branch – Tuesday, August 10th 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM • Rivers – Thursday, August 12th 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM • La Riviere – Thursday, August 26th 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM This is a free event, open to everyone

the Brandon Area Community Foundation (BACF) wishes to inform the public that community grant applications are now being accepted for the 2021 granting year. BACF have been providing community grants to organizations in Brandon and southwestern Manitoba since 1966. BACF awards grants to support a wide range of projects and programs, which include, but not limited to, the areas of arts, culture, community development, education, environment, recreation, seniors services, social services and youth programs. Grants are made to Canada Revenue Agency registered charities only, never directly to individuals or non-registered not for profit organizations. In 2020, over $1 million in grants were distributed throughout the Westman area. “The Foundation’s objective is to serve the community of southwestern Manitoba and due to COVID-19, supporting our community through our granting process is more relevant than ever.”  stated Laura Kempthorne, Executive Director of BACF. “I highly recommend that if anyone has any questions regarding their eligibility for funding, questions regarding their project or our grant application, please feel free to call me before you make a submission.” BACF is fortunate to have generous donors over the decades who have established funds with the Foundation.  Some of these funds are secured to support annual grants to address significant community needs identified by non-profit groups.  The grants are intended to improve the overall quality of life for everyone in our community. To apply, visit Brandon Area Community Foundation’s website: www.bacf.ca Deadline is Thursday, September 30th 2021, 4:00 p.m. (submitted)

Thick choking smoke has filled Westman skies over the past couple of days. Lots of this smoke is a result of the many wildfires currently burning in the eastern and northern parts of Manitoba, along with fires in northern Ontario. Environment Canada has issued many air quality health alerts, and rates Brandon and surrounding communities at a 9 on their scale, which is "high risk". The smoke is expected to dissipate later in the week pending wind changes.