CORRIDOR SIGNAGE STRATEGY

Rivers West continues to work with communities along the Red River Corridor to proceed with the implementation of community trailheads and maps as identified in the Vision 2030 Plan. In partnership with CDEM (Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities), RW is also advancing this project in bilingual municipalities across Manitoba.

• Selkirk - two signs have been erected
• Lockport - one sign has recently been completed near the Half Moon Drive Inn
• St. Adolphe, Ste. Agathe and Ile des Chênes - The structures are currently being built. The maps will be sent for revision shortly. The three trailheads will be installed spring 2016.
• Morris - The map is complete. The text highlighting Morris’ historical points are being reviewed.
• St. Pierre-Jolys, Grande Pointe, St. Norbert, Lorette, La Broquerie and Ste. Anne have all shows interest in this project. The initial meeting will take place once the community is ready to proceed.

STORMWATER VIDEO PROJECT

Rivers West, along with its partners, have been working on developing a short video as part of Phase II of our Stormwater project. Water on the Land: Sustainable Stormwater Management Guide was the first phase of this project. The Stormwater Management Guide was created in 2012 and it is a resource that was created to raise awareness and to educate people on the importance of keeping stormwater on the land. It includes information on watershed health, outdoor learning, and natural play opportunities. It also provides useful resources and “how to get started” for school grounds, public spaces, and mid-size commercial properties. 

Phase II of this project (creating a video) is capturing an audience in a completely different way than in Phase I. The purpose of this video is to get the attention from a larger crowd who weren’t necessarily looking for this information, and to then refer them to the guide if more information is required. The video is educational as well as entertaining. Our goal is to demonstrate the importance of managing stormwater and to deliver a message that will stick with the audience. The target audience ranges from children, to teachers, to your average neighbour.

BUILD films have eagerly accepted to produce and create this video. They are known for the creation of videos for clients such as Travel Manitoba, Green Action Centre, Parks Canada, The Great Canadian Travel Company, The Winnipeg Goldeyes, to name a few.   

WATER ACCESS REMAINS A CHALLENGE ALONG RED RIVER

Rivers West working at finding a solution for communities

In 2002, RW met and interviewed representatives from the communities along the Red River to identify the major issues in each community with regard to development of a contiguous greenway from Emerson to Lake Winnipeg as a tourism strategy. A key issue raised repeatedly in several communities was the need for increasing access to the river and providing infrastructure so that people could use the river. Points of access to the river and dockage facilities were limited, particularly outside of Winnipeg. This

impacts both the capability of Rivers West to promote water-based activities and attractions, and the ability of local communities to benefit from the Red River as even a basic recreational amenity. 

With this in mind, the development strategy for the corridor must include increasing access to the river.

 

In 2005, Rivers West facilitated a River Access Assessment study to determine specifically the current level of infrastructure in various reaches of the river, where there is access, and what needs to be improved. Sadly, close to ten years later, access to the river has improved minimally for reasons ranging from flooding, financial limitations, other infrastructure priorities, etc. To view the full report, click onto this link:

www.riverswest.ca/media/documents/Rivers_access_assess_2005.pdf 

 

In 2012-2013, Rivers West in partnership with CDEM and all corridor stakeholders, undertook a Vision 2030 development plan. As access to the river and docks continue to be a huge priority, RW is re-visiting the 2005 River Access Assessment study and is in the process of obtaining costing for the design of a dock system that will be able to tolerate the high fluctuations of Red river’s water level . We are currently looking into a particular design, and are awaiting to find out what the cost will be to undertake the work. This will be shared with the communities along the corridor - by having a homogenous dock design it will be possible to have economies of scale for the stakeholders. We will keep you posted on this project.

The Red River is already known as a fantastic fishing destination and has tremendous potential for increased river activity. Now is the time to dedicate some time, energy, and money to create access to the river that greatly improve our position as a river destination, and develop programming to enhance it.

 

 

 

Vision 2030 Plan for Red River Corridor

Rivers West, in partnership with CDEM and a multitude of Red River corridor stakeholders, are pleased to unveil the results of over one year of work to develop a Vision Plan for the Corridor. The firm of Scatliff + Miller + Murray were hired to research, compile data, and lead community consultations to capture the important elements exist in the communities, and what projects and tourism strategies need to be undertaken between now and 2030 to create a destination of the Red River Corridor. 

 

     Rivers West Vision 2030                 

     Plan maître vision 2030