BRANDON, Man. — Early application and registration numbers for the 2017–18 academic year show strong continued growth in enrolment is expected at Brandon University (BU). “The numbers are excellent, with healthy increases in applications, admissions and new-student registrations at Brandon University,” said University Registrar Andrea McDaniel. “It is still fairly early in our registration cycle, but the trend is clear and it is looking like another year of very strong growth of the student population at BU.” Compared to this same point last year, she said that applications to the university have increased by 11 per cent, admission offers are up by 20 per cent, and registrations by first-time students are up by eight per cent. The increases in application and registration numbers among new students have BU administration optimistic that the University will continue to build on significant increases in enrolment shown over the past several years. Brandon University experienced seven per cent growth in student enrolment in 2016 and 3.5 per cent the year before. The numbers are positive in just about every category, including very strong growth in full-time enrolment by first-time students as well as international applications. “At this time there is a greater proportion of new students who are registering as full-time students than at the same point last year,” McDaniel said.“International student interest has also increased significantly, with applications up 15 per cent and registration of new students up 23 per cent over this time last year.” Brandon University continues to be a top choice for local high school students, with Vincent Massey, Crocus Plains and Neelin the top three schools sending graduates to BU. High schools in Portage la Prairie and Virden round out the top five, with significant numbers of students also coming from high schools in Dauphin, Russell, Thompson, Neepawa and Swan River. “Brandon University brings thousands of young people to the city from near and far away, and many of them choose to stay here to live, work and invest,” said Steve Robinson, Vice President (Academic & Provost). “As we look at the demographic trends in Brandon and in the province, it is clear that Brandon is a destination for post-secondary education and we are working hard to serve that diverse student body by growing the number and type of programs that we offer.” The soon-to-be released Campus Master Plan and Campus Space Plan both point to strategies for the university to accommodate the burgeoning number of students. “A growing BU student population means that classroom, labs and schedules will all be fuller, as will student residences,” Robinson said. “Our downtown campus expansion, which will include a significant new-style residential component as well as innovative academic spaces, will help us welcome new students and new faculty to a new level of community engagement in the coming years.” Last year, BU welcomed nearly 3,300 students. Final numbers for each year are tallied and reported on Nov. 1.

To celebrate Canada 150, the governments of Canada and Manitoba are investing $1.2 million to help more Manitobans become homeowners through Habitat for Humanity’s Carter Work Project. Manitoba Families Minister Scott Fielding and Doug Eyolfson, member of Parliament for Charleswood-St. James-Assiniboia-Headlingley, announced funding today through the Investment in Affordable Housing (IAH) extension agreement. “Habitat provides such an effective model in home ownership and creates pride and confidence by giving people the opportunity to build their own home,” said Fielding at the Winnipeg build site in St. James. “Safe housing lifts people up, helps families succeed and builds healthy communities. Manitobans are excited to volunteer with this valuable project to address poverty and homelessness as part of Canada’s 150th birthday.” The 34th Carter Work Project will build 150 homes for Canada’s 150th anniversary July 9 to 14. Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, will participate in Winnipeg and Edmonton. This announcement is truly unprecedented and demonstrates the government of Canada’s firm commitment to helping Canadians in need meet their housing needs.” said Eyolfson, on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC). “Our government is proud to contribute to the largest build in Habitat Canada history and we look forward to continuing our strong relationships with our valued partners.” The joint funding is part of a 2016 agreement of $90 million over two years between the Manitoba government and Government of Canada through CMHC. “Habitat Manitoba’s commitment to the Carter Work Project is to construct 25 new homes and we could not possibly meet that objective without this financial support from the federal and provincial governments,” said Sandy Hopkins, CEO of Habitat for Humanity Manitoba. “Our total investment to build the 25 homes is about $6.5 million but that investment will generate over $40 million in value to society over the next 50 years, in today’s dollars.” Habitat for Humanity Manitoba will build 21 new homes in Winnipeg, two in Portage la Prairie and two in Brandon. It selects qualifying families willing to contribute up to 500 volunteer hours of sweat equity in the construction of their home and sells them homes at fair market value. It holds the mortgage at zero interest, requires no down payment and bases repayment on a percentage of annual income. Since 1984, the Carter Work Project has drawn nearly 100,000 volunteers in 14 countries to build, renovate and repair more than 4,000 homes. The Carters held the first Canadian build in Winnipeg in 1993. Details of the 2017 project are available at www.habitat.mb.ca. Manitoba Housing provides a range of subsidized housing and other programs and services across the province.  For more information, visit www.gov.mb.ca/housing.

The City of Brandon and all management and staff of the Brandon Municipal Airport warmly invite all members of the public to attend the Brandon Municipal Airport Expansion/Redevelopment Project Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Friday, July 14th, 2017, at 2:30 p.m. Construction on the expanded terminal building began in the fall of 2015, and the fully-expanded facility threw open its doors for the first time for daily flights in mid-May of this year. Funded by contributions from the Government of Canada, the Province of Manitoba and the City of Brandon, the expanded facility is now three times its former size and features dedicated arrivals, security screening, and departures areas, as well as an expanded parking lot. To celebrate the project’s completion, all members of the public are invited to attend our grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony and take in a complimentary tour of the facility!

Photos, and a video, showing the damage of a recent fire at the corner of Stickney Ave and 12th Street in Brandon, MB.  Photos and video courtesy Mike Wasilka