Lac du Bonnet water project flows from new spirit of co-operation between town and RM, say councillors
After 20 years, local governments planning to run water lines into eastern Manitoba rural municipality
After years of discord and rivalries, the councils of the Town of Lac du Bonnet and the surrounding rural municipality say they're setting aside their differences in an effort to attract more economic opportunities to the area.
"We've made some steps to eliminate that type of attitude," said Ken Lodge, the mayor of the town of about 1,100, approximately 90 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg.
"We're effectively one community and we want to be able to utilize our assets to the best advantage of the entire community."
Among the most notable examples of that previous inability to get along is the local water system. The town opened its revamped water treatment plant in 2004, with financial help from the province.
It was meant to serve the surrounding area as well, but 20 years later, that still hasn't happened. Residents of the RM of Lac du Bonnet, which has a population of around 3,600, have largely been living with boil water advisories and trucking in water for decades.
But now, the two governments are finally planning to run lines into the rural municipality, bringing people there clean water while also bringing the town more revenue.
"We recognize that running our water plant at less than 20 per cent capacity is probably not really particularly efficient," said the mayor.
A provincial spokesperson confirmed the Manitoba Water Services Board currently works under separate cost-sharing agreements with the town and RM.
But engineering staff "have completed a conceptual study on servicing rural customers from the town's water treatment plant," and are now working to determine if any upgrades are needed, the spokesperson said.
Lodge, who has served on town council for 14 years and was elected mayor in 2022, described the past relationship between his government and the RM's as "combative" and riddled with animosity.
"There was much less of a collaborative approach in respect to what we need to do to support and strengthen our community," said Lodge. "And that's changed recently."
Case in point is a thriving new recreational equipment dealership on the edge of town — an enterprise that likely wouldn't be there if local politicians hadn't set aside their differences and started working together, says one of its co-owners.
"It's been beyond overwhelming and incredible," said Craig Becker, co-owner of Lake Life Powersports, which he says has done brisk business since the showroom and repair shop opened in February.
But Becker and his partner, Glen Hart, had a number of hurdles to clear before they could break ground on their sizeable building.
"We're actually on the RM side of Lac du Bonnet, on RM land," Becker said.
"Across the street," he said, grinning as he pointed across Highway 317, "is town."
That meant the prime parcel of land at the intersection of Highway 11 did not have access to water and sewer lines.
"It actually put the town and the RM in a place where they had to work together, because we needed sewer and water from the town, and we wanted the land from the RM," said Becker.
"So they struck an agreement in the background … and it came together."
Missed opportunities
Members of both the town and RM councils say the lack of water has not only made life harder for many residents, it's stalled growth on both sides of the municipal border.
"We missed a lot of opportunities over the years because we haven't had the water and sewer infrastructure," said RM Coun. Cindy Kellendonk, referring to developers who have visited the area but not committed to projects.
"There were a lot of differences of opinion, a lot of partnerships that broke down."
Kellendonk spearheaded a shared community development corporation in 2018, but it fell apart due to differences in vision, she said.
"There are some perceptions that yes, there were personality conflicts," said Kellendonk.
"That happens in every workplace, but when you're in municipal government, you're expected to perform at a higher standard."
Now, she said, RM and town councillors are so cordial and aligned in their vision that they even socialize together.
Both councils are quick to say how proud they are to finally be collaborating on building water lines and attracting investors.
"It's over the top exciting for me," Kellendonk said, chuckling. "It's going to generate revenue, it's going to create jobs, it'll have a social impact."
It's "a very, very positive thing for our region" and "long overdue," she added.
The new alliance is already reaping rewards at Lake Life Powersports, which Becker says drew a tremendous volume of customers to its Bombardier Recreational Products outlet during this year's long weekends.
"The foot traffic inside the building would rival most city stores," said Becker. "Our parking lot was full, the showroom was full."
He hopes the water extension project attracts a wide range of development, from housing and hotels to more restaurants and retail.
"It's a thriving town that has … all kinds of categories of residents," said Becker. "So absolutely, we believe in Lac du Bonnet."
The councils say they hope to get more pipes in the ground by next year.
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