A few CBRA Board members have still not made their way back to Winnipeg from warmer climes. (Lucky them!) The time and place for the next CBRA Board meeting is therefore yet to be determined.
We do know the time and place for local environmental group Save Our Seine’s 2026 AGM. It is coming up on Tuesday, April 21st from 7:00 – 8:30 pm @ Franco-Manitoban Cultural Centre (CCFM) – Salle Antoine Gaborieau Hall, 340 Provencher Boulevard.
SOS is pleased to welcome two speakers whose work directly informs the future stewardship of the Seine River. Kristina Hunter is a researcher and environmental advocate whose work focuses on community led ecological inquiry. She will present findings from the Seine River Garbage Study, highlighting patterns, impacts, and opportunities for action. Dr. David Walker is a geomorphologist and Associate Professor at the University of Manitoba specializing in river systems and landscape processes. He will present on the new Seine River GIS Mapping System, which provides detailed spatial data to support restoration, planning, and long-term stewardship.
The volunteer SOS Landcare team will continue working on Creek Bend area projects in 2026. Last year was a very productive one taking on invasive plant species. I have to warn you that weed pulling can be highly addictive. I got the bug myself last year.
SOS River Keepers are expected to begin their first sweep of the river sometime after Victoria Day. Thanks to the Province of Manitoba for funding these young people to clean our little Seine River. (Fun fact. SOS was the first Urban/Hometown Green Team funded in Manitoba in 1994.)
The federal government has been asked to fund a student researcher to assist Save our Seine and the community in preparing for coming meetings with Landmark Planning/Qualico this summer. The subject area for the student’s research would include the Seine River and its riparian forest located between the Perimeter Highway and the Floodway, including the Sumka Lands, immediately south of the Creek Bend community.
The St. Vital Perimeter South sector study was bumped last year by another Landmark/Qualico study, Precinct K. The public engagement process for the future Precinct K subdivision and rezoning application is apparently running a bit behind schedule. There has been no announcement of a time and place for their second public meeting, once scheduled for this February/March. Best guess is that Landmark et al are learning the joys of dealing with the CPKC railroad regarding the old railway crossing at Creek Bend Road.
It looks like the First Student Canada school buses have been pushed back once more from their creeping encroachment onto the developer lands due north of their gravel parking lot. Those pesky school buses.
The substantial fallow Sampson Lands located due north of Qualico’s Smith Farm properties are still not listed on the MLS system. The mystery continues. MLS indicates that the former listing has simply expired. MLS does not indicate any recent sale of those Seine River lands. No Warde Avenue Bridge for you, Bonavista.
As reported before, one of the two five-acre RR5 properties listed for sale on MLS in South Royalwood has recently been sold but not, surprisingly, to a developer.
A Parks department report is slowly making its way to EPC in June on possible funding mechanisms for new City parks. Park creation in Winnipeg is not easy, despite the City’s stated intention to add 1,000 new acres of parkland. “Creek Bend Park” is a case in point on how hard it is to build a new City park.
At the southern end of the proposed park, while the Province has refused to hand over the gravel parking lot and paddling launch beside the Aimes Road Bridge to the City, it is in conversation with the City on a joint park management plan.
To the north, the new “Creek Bend Flats” apartment building at 180 Creek Bend should begin construction sometime soon. Demolition of the historic Carriere House has already been approved. New tenants are expected to move into the building in Spring 2028. The new Active Transportation pathway on the top-of-bank must be built before occupancy permits can be granted.
Local City Councillor Markus Chambers has agreed to visit the future “Creek Bend Park” along with Save Our Seine and CBRA representatives later this month (April). Future City park plans will be discussed during a 1.5 hour walk-and-talk on the future riverbank pathway.
A Creek Bend resident recently posted a picture of a river otter family feasting on a fish on the rotting spring ice. While beaver may be a bit aggressive with local trees, the river valley’s flora and fauna seem to be in good shape because of them. (Invasive species notwithstanding.) Pileated woodpeckers still seem abundant. Local coyotes took down a deer in a field on Creek Bend Road this winter. The pack may be at least 8 in number this spring. Local foxes are also looking good, with no apparent mange on their tails.
The Floodway diversion is expected to open this weekend. Any flooding in the Creek Bend area will be localized to the flood plain. (I now have a half-acre lake in my backyard. Lucky me.)
See you on the river trail this spring, whenever spring ever comes.