A local business is cooking up a few changes as it continues to grow.
Danny’s Whole Hog spoke to council about having conditional use items removed that were put into place nearly two decades ago.
These conditional use items relate to a restriction that only allowed the sale of products that had been processed on site and prohibited the introduction of any products produced elsewhere.
“Our business has evolved and changed over the last 19 years since this conditional use was issued. At the time, it made sense for the size and nature of Danny’s Whole Hog, but we have grown and evolved where we no longer meet these conditions,” states the letter of intent. “We have grown into a well-known Manitoba brand, known for our pulled pork, pulled beef, brisket, barbecue sauce and meat pies.”
The business continues to cook and smoke all its meats in house, and it has had to expand some of its production through outside partnerships such as bottling their barbecue sauce offsite.
“Unfortunately, this puts us in conflict with the original conditional use. We want to remain transparent and in good standing with the RM of Rockwood about the nature our business,” the letter states.
“We also have many good-standing relationships with local businesses who promote us by selling our products in their store. You may have seen our barbecue sauces and pulled meats in the grocery stores in Stonewall and around the province.”
The letter also notes that it might be a good fit for the local business to feature products in their store from other local businesses.
“This gives our customers more choices and promotes local businesses. This coming year, we will be celebrating 25 years in business; a key to our success is to build great relationships with peers in our industry. A good example of this is how we have worked with our distributor, De Luca’s, a family-run business in Winnipeg,” it states.
“They sell all our products in their two stores in Winnipeg, and they have some excellent products that we would love to sell in our store. Having more items in our store will not only help us keep our doors open but will provide residents with more options and more convenient than having to go to Winnipeg.”
The South Interlake Planning District noted that the owners have been very cooperative in their efforts to resolve all permit issues and had no significant concerns about their request. Council conditionally approved the request.
In other council news:
• Council authorized the operations department to buy 10 signs about trail etiquette at a cost of up to $2,500 to install along the Rockwood Rail Trail.
• Rockwood council approved remuneration for election officials at $250 per day for the upcoming municipal election. They’ll also receive $20 per hour for training, 73 cents per kilometre for mileage and $30 per day for a meal allowance.
• Council gave second and third readings to a bylaw related to election expenses and contributions for municipal election purposes, as well as a bylaw related to using municipal resources during the 42-day period before a general election.
• Council has formed an ad hoc committee for the Rockwood District Quarry Advisory Committee. The ad hoc committee is made up of Coun. Curtis McClintock, Coun. Hintz, Coun. Wirgau, the chief administrative officer and the director of corporate services.
• Council will send a letter to the provincial government requesting that they make the required repairs to Netley Creek on Road 13E from Road 97N to 98N.
• Some Rockwood residents expressed concern about excessive noise caused by engine retarder breaks, also known as jake brakes, within and around the quarry areas. A bylaw prohibits the use of engine retarder brakes in these locations. As a result, council agreed to buy and install three roadway signs to inform commercial and industrial traffic that engine retarder breaks are prohibited in designated quarry areas.
• Council authorized paying $750 for the 2026 membership fee for the Hudson Bay Route Association. In addition, council authorized paying $157.50 to the Stonewall and District Chamber of Commerce for the 2026 membership fee.
• Council conditionally approved a request from the 3P Cycling Club to hold a Manitoba Cycling Association sanctioned bike road race in Stony Mountain on Tuesday, June 6 from 6 to 10 p.m.
• Council also approved a request for the Stony Mountain Community Association to host several events, including a concert and beer gardens at the outdoor Bison Bandstand on June 30 followed by a Canada Day celebration parade on July 1. On Aug. 22, the Stony Mountain Run will take place in the quarry, along with a concert and beer gardens at the Bison Bandstand. Council authorized fireworks on June 30, subject to fire department approval and as long as there’s no fire ban at the time.
• Council authorized $175 to Skate Stony Mountain for a program advertisement for the 2026 provincial championships.
• A four-person team from the RM of Rockwood will participate in the 53rd Annual Interlake Municipal Curling Bonspiel in Argyle on March 13.
• Council authorized paying $2,305.24 to the Red River Basin Commission for the 2026 membership fee. However, council defeated a resolution to cover the $95 registration fee for a councillor to attend the 15th annual Red River Basin Commission dinner gala on March 19 in West St. Paul. Council also defeated a request for a silent auction donation for the same event, which aims to raise funds for educational presentations and events.
• Council authorized a silent auction prize valued at $100 for the annual Stonewall Legion curling bonspiel, which took place from Feb. 13 to 15.
