Stonewall will benefit from the fresh perspective of landscape architecture students who are focusing on the town for an in-depth school project.
From Friday, Jan. 19 to Sunday, Jan. 21, a group of landscape architecture students from the University of Manitoba stayed at the Heritage Arts Centre while they perused the town and nearby communities.
On Friday, the group met with Stonewall Mayor Sandra Smith, along with town councillors and members of the Chamber of Commerce and heritage committee.
The participated in a mock emergency evacuation scenario, which involved registering at the Heritage Arts Centre and sleeping in cots set up behind the stage in separate areas for men and women.
On Saturday, the fourth-year undergrad and master’s-level students toured through Stonewall, Stony Mountain and Teulon to consider how the communities are connected and what they have in common.
“We really wanted to see how Stonewall overall situates itself within the RM of Rockwood,” said Will Kendrick, one of the participating students.
“We also checked out some of the gravel pits to see how the landscape has changed from what a natural landscape would be. As well, we went out to Oak Hammock Marsh to see wetlands restoration.”
They also participated in silent walks down Main Street in the daylight and in the dark, quietly making mental notes of their observations.
The theme for their course is “Emergent Futures,” so their project involves creating a long-term landscape design vision for Main Street, while also keeping the town’s strategic plan in mind. They’ll present their findings to the town in April.
Reflecting on their initial introduction to the town and its representatives, Kendrick shared his first impression.
“It’s clear that there’s a real passion for Stonewall — and it’s an authentic passion,” he said. “People really want to see this community thrive and be not just a bedroom community but a place where people can have a life here.”
Ipalo Phiri, another visiting student, shared similar sentiment.
“Right from the get-go, everybody was so accommodating, sharing their experiences and their views,” she said. “It was really insightful for us to hear that.”
Student Julien Tetrault noted that they’ll also reach out to the local Manitoba Métis Federation local for input on the project.
“We’re hoping that we can get some insight from the MMF local,” he said. “I think that would be really helpful.”
Mimi Locher, dean of the faculty of architecture, joined the students for their adventure in education.
“We feel that it’s very important for students to connect with communities and learn from the local communities how they view themselves and what they want for their futures — and then to be able to help them imagine that,” she said.
“For me, it’s been really fun to get to know the students. We’ve been having some great conversations about what we’re seeing and what we’re experiencing. They’re really paying attention and thinking of what’s working and what could be better. I’m excited to see what they come up with.”
Mayor Sandra Smith explained how this immersive education experience — and the mock evacuation practice — came to be.
“The town has been working with Scatliff Miller Murray for a couple years on creating a number of plans in the community including a Quarry Park master plan. As part of that process, Bob Somers from SMM reached out to the U of M and professor Frits Van Loon about the possibility of engaging some of his students in the Stonewall Main Street revitalization review project,” she said.
“Once in a four-year cycle, the town must exercise its emergency plan in order to comply with provincial legislation. Given that we had a dozen students or so that we needed to host for a couple days, we used the opportunity to test our emergency plan and fulfill a legislative requirement.”
Like Locher, Smith is looking forward to hearing the students’ observations and suggestions.
“The town is very proud of the businesses that exist along Main Street and they do an excellent job providing goods and services to our community and the region. There are, however, challenges with vacant spaces and property along Main Street. The hope is that we can engage the students in some brainstorming on what our Main Street could become,” she said.
“There will be sessions held with the businesses, Chamber of Commerce and community to get a sense of direction and investment needed regarding the commercial core of our community. We are excited to work with the U of M and are looking forward to the information that will be identified through the process.”
