Residents will have an opportunity next month to share their views on the future of a well-known Interlake landmark, as council for the Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton moves forward with a public hearing on the proposed designation of Geysir Hall as a municipal heritage site.
The hearing is scheduled for Feb. 12 at 9 a.m. in council chambers at the municipal office at 329 River Rd. in Arborg. Council will hear representations under The Heritage Resources Act (Manitoba) before deciding whether to formally designate the property.
The site under consideration is Geysir Hall, located at 16006 River Rd. in Geysir, owned by Geysir Cooperative Community Club Inc. and situated on approximately 2.12 acres.
According to Corrine Einarsson, president of the Geysir Cooperative Community Club, the proposal reflects both the historical importance of the hall and growing interest in protecting places that represent the region’s pioneer and settlement history.
“The hall has always been more than just a building,” Einarsson said. “It represents generations of people coming together to build something for the community, and there’s a strong desire to see that history respected and preserved.”
Einarsson explained that the municipal heritage designation process begins with council giving notice of its intent to designate a property. A public hearing is then held to allow residents, stakeholders and the property owner to ask questions, express support or raise concerns. Council considers that input before making a final decision.
The initiative, she said, emerged through discussions involving both council and municipal administration, supported by historical documentation and community interest, rather than from a single request by the property owner.
Geysir Hall has been identified as having architectural and historical significance as a representative example of a mid-20th-century rural community hall. Established as a gathering place by the 1940s, it hosted dances, musical evenings and social events documented in local archives. Its form, scale and construction reflect early rural building practices and community-driven development typical of the era.
The hall also has deep cultural ties to Icelandic settlement in the Interlake region. Einarsson said it served as a focal point for Icelandic cultural, social and cooperative activities, helping early settlers maintain their traditions and sense of identity.
“For generations, this hall has been a place where people came together for meetings, celebrations and volunteer-led events,” she said. “It’s where community connections were built and maintained.”
If designated, Geysir Hall would receive long-term protection for its identified heritage features. Einarsson noted that the designation would not change ownership or restrict day-to-day use of the building. Routine maintenance and regular activities would continue, while major alterations affecting heritage elements would require municipal approval.
“The goal isn’t to freeze the building in time,” she said. “Renovations and improvements that support safety, accessibility and continued use are still possible, as long as they respect the heritage character of the hall.”
She acknowledged that heritage designation can raise concerns about future flexibility, costs and property rights, but said the process is designed to address those concerns through clear communication and collaboration.
“Council is looking for balance,” Einarsson said. “It’s about recognizing the public value of heritage while respecting private ownership and allowing the building to continue serving the community.”
Anyone wishing to object to the proposed designation must submit a written objection to the chief administrative officer within 30 days of the notice, including their name, address and reasons for objection, as required under Section 26(3) of The Heritage Resources Act.
Background information related to the proposed designation can be reviewed at the municipal office. Residents seeking further information can contact Deanna Fridfinnson, assistant chief administrative officer for the Municipality of Bifrost-Riverton.
Following the public hearing, council will deliberate and decide whether to proceed with the designation, either at the same meeting or at a subsequent council meeting, depending on the level of discussion required. The final decision will be made by resolution and communicated publicly.
Einarsson said she hopes the process highlights the value of volunteer-built community spaces and the role they continue to play in shaping local identity.
“These halls were built by people giving their time, labour and resources,” she said. “Recognizing that history sends an important message about who we are and where we come from.”
