Other Manitoba and Saskatchewan Developments

[JayM]

Originally Posted by newflyer

Environmentalists have said that the decline in ice forming on the Hudson Bay will see the polar bears migrate north.

I have heard that to be honest.

[jayrod19]

here is an article about the souris valley mental hospital, about the destruction and what is to come in the area.

If anyone chooses to read this, i suggest reading some of the comments. They are pretty much only pointing the finger at the mayor and city council. IMO i think it is the province to blame because the City of Weyburn didn't get possession of the building until only a few years ago. The province made us a deal pretty much saying if there hasn't been anything done to the building by so and so date, the province will pay for demolition. So here we are today, the company that bought the building didn't meet the date to get so much money invested into the building, and now it's getting demolished. Tell me what you think could of been done or what will be done in the future.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/saskatchewa...g.html?ref=rss

got some photos too! not of the city, just the hospital for now.
all photos taken by me.

[1ajs]

someone should grab it and fix it enuff to make it into a urbex getaway

[Biff]

REDRUM, REDRUM

[socialisthorde]

Originally Posted by 1ajs

someone should grab it and fix it enuff to make it into a urbex getaway

I had no idea what you are talking about, but this is the Google age and voila, now I know. For others who were likewise ignorant:

http://www.simoncornwell.com/urbex/

What a cool idea! I doubt there is the population to provide enough visitors to pay for the kind of safety work (and insurance) involved, but I would love to do soemthng like that.

[VANRIDERFAN]

New community centre for a town of 2500.

Here is a video
http://www.ebrandon.ca/video.aspx?video_id=500



http://www.killarneyrecreation.ca/main.asp?ID=28

[sledhead35]

Free Press today

HudBay Minerals Inc. is delaying development of the $1.1-billion Fenix nickel project in Guatemala until metal prices return to normal.

Officials from the mining company that operates the massive zinc and copper complex in Flin Flon said it remains committed to building the new nickel mine once market conditions make it economically feasible.

This week, the company reported a 96 per cent drop in profits for the quarter to $2.8 million and a decline in revenue to $247.4 million compared with $319.8 million for the same period the year before.

HudBay shares were up 11 cents on Wednesday to $6.25.

[hexrae]

Province injects millions into Manitoba Housing renovations

By: Staff Writer

The province is doubling its commitment to a total of $48 million to rejuvenate Manitoba Housing stock.

In a news release this morning, the province said it will create jobs, improve energy efficiency, enhance accessibility and improve the lives of tenants during the second year of its Building Foundations strategy.

Among the renovations to be completed across the province are 893 units in Brandon and Winnipeg that house 2,000 people. This includes 61 family townhouses in Brandon ($4.5 million), complete refurbishment of Gilbert Park ($9 million), Selkirk Park ($15 million) and Central Park ($9 million) in Winnipeg.

In 2008-09, 92 renovation projects will get underway outside of Winnipeg while 63 will be completed in the capital city. For 2009-10, 106 renovation projects will be done outside Winnipeg while 40 will be done in the city.

For many of these homes, it will be the first time they have been upgraded. Work will include new flooring, cupboards, patching and painting. The renovations will also increase energy efficiency and reduce water consumption with Energy Star appliances, energy-efficient heating and lighting, insulation upgrades and low-flush toilets.

To bolster local jobs for residents, the building rejuvenations will involve community employment programs that help low-income families to move from welfare to work.

To ease the transition for tenants, the plan includes a communication strategy with regular updates about the renovations and moves, and relocation costs will be covered by Manitoba Housing.

The capital investment is part of the infrastructure stimulus announced in the provincial government’s economic statement and throne speech on Nov. 20. The province estimates that for every $1 million invested in renovations, 30 jobs are created and $1.5 million is added to the GDP.


---

Includes developments in Winnipeg, but majority is outside.

[hexrae]

Wuskwatim dam contract awarded

By: Larry Kusch

Manitoba Hydro has awarded a contract to construct the bulk of the Wuskwatim hydroelectric dam, it was announced this morning.

The winning bidder for the contract, worth $289 million, is O’Connell-Neilson-EBC Partnership.

A letter of intent to award the contract was issued by Manitoba Hydro at the end of September and the contract was officially concluded recently.

The consortium consists of managing partner H.J. O’Connell Construction Ltd., whose project office is in St. John’s, Nfld; Neilson Inc. from Saint-Nicholas, Quebec; and EBC Inc. from L’Ancienne-Lorette, Quebec.

Under the Wuskwatim Power Limited Partnership (WPLP), Manitoba Hydro manages the project, including the tendering process.
The general civil work remaining at Wuskwatim entails building the earth dams and dykes, the concrete structures that comprise the generating station itself, as well as rock excavation, maintaining roads and cofferdams.

In addition, the consortium will be responsible for supplying and installing the powerhouse walls, roof, and superstructure steel.

A key feature of the contract is a schedule that advances the in-service date of the generating station to 2011, Hydro said.

The 200-megawatt Wuskwatim project, located 45 kilometres southwest of Thompson on the Burntwood River, is being developed by the WPLP, a legal entity involving Manitoba Hydro and the Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN).

“The awarding of the civil contract is a key benchmark of progress on the project,” said Manitoba Hydro president and CEO Bob Brennan. “Wuskwatim is a unique project which is serving as a model for future project development, in Manitoba and in other parts of the country. There is a lot of interest in the partnership model from other jurisdictions.”

The original general civil contract was tendered in 2007 and only one bid was received.

As a result, the tender was subsequently cancelled. Manitoba Hydro, acting as project manager, divided the originally planned work into smaller construction contracts and Peter Kiewit & Sons Ltd. was awarded the contract to do overburden and initial rock excavation and construct the Stage 1 cofferdams. Pennecon was awarded a second contract to do structures area rock excavation and concrete aggregate production.

[newflyer]

In news today ...

Saskatchewan Labour Board certifies union at Wal-Mart in Weyburn

REGINA - After a bitter, four year legal battle, a Wal-Mart store in Weyburn, Sask., has been officially unionized.

The Saskatchewan Labour Relations Board has ruled the majority of the retail giant's employees in Weyburn are now certified as a unit of the United Food and Commercial Workers and Wal-Mart must bargain collectively with the union.

Union leaders applauded the ruling Tuesday and called on Wal-Mart to respect the rights of the workers at the Weyburn store, 110 kilometres southeast of Regina.

"I want to welcome our newest members and congratulate the workers for standing up to Wal-Mart," said Paul Meinema, president of UFCW Local 1400.

"This has been a long time coming and it is a victory for them and for all Wal-Mart workers."

- Winnipeg Free Press

[newflyer]

In other non-related news....

Rumours have it that the Walmart is considering closing the Weyburn store, due to weak sales numbers.

An unidentified person was heard saying "I guess Estevan isn't too far away."

[JayM]

Originally Posted by newflyer

In other non-related news....

Rumours have it that the Walmart is considering closing the Weyburn store, due to weak sales numbers.

An unidentified person was heard saying "I guess Estevan isn't too far away."

HA!

[JayM]

Originally Posted by sledhead35

Free Press today

HudBay Minerals Inc. is delaying development of the $1.1-billion Fenix nickel project in Guatemala until metal prices return to normal.

Officials from the mining company that operates the massive zinc and copper complex in Flin Flon said it remains committed to building the new nickel mine once market conditions make it economically feasible.

This week, the company reported a 96 per cent drop in profits for the quarter to $2.8 million and a decline in revenue to $247.4 million compared with $319.8 million for the same period the year before.

HudBay shares were up 11 cents on Wednesday to $6.25.

This is old but HudBay is the worst Mining Operation. Way to be on top of things like environmental issues.. Must be nice to roll around in the grass that contains arsenic.

[jayrod19]

In other non-related news....

Rumours have it that the Walmart is considering closing the Weyburn store, due to weak sales numbers.

An unidentified person was heard saying "I guess Estevan isn't too far away."

The Weyburn store might close but not because of weak sales but because of the store unionizing.

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/200...t-weyburn.html

Personally, i can't see wal-mart having bad sales( i live in Weyburn, kind of worked there). If they were to close, they would have done it 2-3 years ago when the population was decreasing, not when it is increasing now. 3 years ago the pop. was around 9500, now it is close to 11 000 according to the mayor. so more people equals more shoppers and better sales. so i don't see them closing due to weak sales.

update later that i'm sure everyone cares about*sarcasm*

[mjpaul]

Originally Posted by jayrod19

The Weyburn store might close but not because of weak sales but because of the store unionizing.

http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/200...t-weyburn.html

Personally, i can't see wal-mart having bad sales( i live in Weyburn, kind of worked there). If they were to close, they would have done it 2-3 years ago when the population was decreasing, not when it is increasing now. 3 years ago the pop. was around 9500, now it is close to 11 000 according to the mayor. so more people equals more shoppers and better sales. so i don't see them closing due to weak sales.

update later that i'm sure everyone cares about*sarcasm*

Wal Mart could care less if Weyburn store was closed, Wal Mart is sending a message that they will not be pushed around by union thuggery. The Fact of the matter is, the Public LOVES Wal Mart and Wal Mart knows it. They hold the trump card.

Organized Labor eventually runs a business into the ground...such as North American Auto Industry.

Wal Mart is easily the most favorite store in Moose Jaw and the Union has Moose Jaw in its sights.

I hope Weyburn Wal Mart remains in Business, Its very convenient, it being right off the highway. Tourists will stop at Wal Mart, but they will not stop at Weyburn Co-op. It doesnt work that way. Good Luck Weyburn!

[newflyer]

Originally Posted by mjpaul

Wal Mart could care less if Weyburn store was closed, Wal Mart is sending a message that they will not be pushed around by union thuggery. The Fact of the matter is, the Public LOVES Wal Mart and Wal Mart knows it. They hold the trump card.

Organized Labor eventually runs a business into the ground...such as North American Auto Industry.

Wal Mart is easily the most favorite store in Moose Jaw and the Union has Moose Jaw in its sights.

I hope Weyburn Wal Mart remains in Business, Its very convenient, it being right off the highway. Tourists will stop at Wal Mart, but they will not stop at Weyburn Co-op. It doesnt work that way. Good Luck Weyburn!

I remember when Walmart came to Canada .. they bought Wolco (former canadian store chain) .. and turned them all into Walmarts except for 3. All of which were unionized Wolco's. One of those stores were in Moose Jaw. The towns people freaked ... and the store employees said they'd deunionize to attract the Walmart. It didn't work and Walmart was not part of the Moose Jaw market for a few years. It later opened a new store ... but if it desides to unionize again .. I am pretty sure Walmart would be gone for good.

Who knows maybe Moose Jaw can settle for a Giant Tiger instead.

[newflyer]

I have heard there will be some new developments in Grand Marias. They have some very interesting plans on the boards.

[JayM]

Has anyone here taken a peek at Thompson and their ZERO vacancy rate? I have seen some land become available for residential to be constructed on. Serviced and Unserviced. Land Sales are at $6.00/sq ft for both. One particular area is a nice size and zoned R3 for the possibility of Multi-Family units. Just throwing it out there see if anyone pays attention to this.

[J-MAN]

Originally Posted by Winnipegger

Umm, I could try, I mean, usually if I go for a trip, (other than to walmart ) then I go to winnipeg, but i'll see what I can do. Man, you people don't get out much, but then again, there isn't much to see out here. I mean, the stuff out here is smaller than Steinback, so if you've been there, you've seen it all, but I'll see what I can come up with within the next few weeks, no guarantees though.

out of curiosity did u ever take those pictures?

[Winnipegger]

Originally Posted by J-MAN

out of curiosity did u ever take those pictures?

Unfortunately, I have not. I'm just a student without a camera, but I can point you to a simple flickr search of Altona if your dying to see it. I still want to take pictures of the area before I move away, but things will be getting busy.
Flickr