Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard announced today that the provincial government had committed $98,000 through the From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL program to an economic development capacity-building project with the Rivers Train Station Restoration and Heritage Committee.
“The Rivers train station is a landmark that reflects the strength, resilience and history of this community,” said Simard. “Our government is proud to support a project that not only preserves an important piece of Manitoba’s heritage but also creates new opportunities for local economic development.”
In a release, the provincial government also said the project will partner with the Rural Development Institute at Brandon University for a pilot research project to build community economic development and digital capacity.
“We are thrilled with the funding of this project by the Manitoba government,” said Donna Morken, chair, Rivers Train Station Restoration and Heritage Committee. “To be able to share our story of how a Sekine bicycle and the Rivers train station have shaped the past, the present and the future of our community is very exciting.”
Plans for the project include:
- producing a pilot project to build community development capacity and digital capacity in rural Manitoba as a template for others;
- researching and producing the Sekine bicycle story in Japan with Prof. Junichiro Koji of Ryukoku University and his students;
- supporting the Japan, Canada and Manitoba Sekine Bicycle Story research project with Prof. Ray Silvius of The University of Winnipeg;
- utilizing and developing the Rivers train station as part of community-led planning rooted in local history, while encouraging renewed cultural and tourism connections with Japan;
- developing a one-of-a-kind Sekine museum, both physical and virtual, to be placed inside the Rivers train station; and
- expanding and further developing recreational and interpretive bike trails.
The From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL program is a Manitoba government grant program that provides up to $100,000 to help non-profits, municipalities and Northern Affairs community councils fund community revitalization, youth programs and capital space improvements.
