Morden Mayor Nancy Penner recently reflected on both the successes and challenges of the past year as well as the year ahead.
It was a wide ranging discussion that touched on everything from major issues like infrastructure to examples of the community and region pulling together.
“I looked back at 2025 and I’m amazed at the accomplishments that our community did,” said Penner, who leads a council in its final year of the current term heading towards municipal elections this fall.
“We actually did them together because it was a year of planning, and it was collaboration, and it was resilience,” she said. “I was reminded of why Morden is such a special place to call home.”
She began by touching on a couple highlights that stood out for her at the start of 2025, starting with the purchase of Boundary Trails Place by the Morden Community Development Corporation.
“And that came at no cost to taxpayers, but that purchase of that complex ensured our community-owned medical clinic has a permanent home and that all the supporting business in that complex offers our community a broad range of health services that our residents rely on every day,” she emphasized.
“But also at New Year’s Eve [2024], I was able to be up at the Minnewasta Golf and Country Club, and we cut the ribbon the new building … then a few days later, we were so heartbroken with the fire just days later,” she continued.
“I think that’s where our community with the determination and resilience was so inspiring. Now looking forward to seeing the rebuild take shape, and I have to give so much credit out because it’s a member-owned facility … the hard work that the board of directors did and the members did … we see the rebuild happening, and we look forward to this year.”
Penner went on to highlight some key projects in the areas of infrastructure, including water and wastewater as well industrial park expansion.
“A great deal of focus this year was on infrastructure and the kind of work that often happens behind the scenes but is absolutely essential to our city’s future,” she said.
“I think one of the biggest projects was construction of the new standpipe [at the water treatment plant]. That was a $4.5 million investment, and we were fortunate to get $2.1 million through funding through the Manitoba Water Services Board with the remaining cost that we will finance through the debenture through the city.
“There were several other water treatment plant upgrades that were completed this year to ensure that we will continue to meet our water needs for our growing community in terms of having a safe water supply.”
Penner noted the city also made great strides on economic development.
“Phase one of our industrial park is ongoing. We’re almost complete there. We put in new roads, new infrastructure there,” she said. “The investment there will ensure that that will help with economic growth in the community, that we will have commercial development lots offered so that once our wastewater is resolved that we will be able to open up lots for sale.
“That all just helps with the growth of the city.”
After then also highlighting the installation of EV charging stations at the Access Event Centre and 500 Stephen community centre, Penner touched on some of the annual improvements that are always needed in a growing city like Morden.
“Throughout the year, we continued to improve how people move throughout the city. We put in 1,800 metres of new concrete sidewalks. We put a gravel pathway connecting the new École Discovery Trails School down behind 19th Street connecting to Wardrop,” she noted.
There were also other projects including an asphalt pathway on Buhler Drive as well as the Parkhill Road reconstruction including new sidewalks and the paving of the Thornhill service road on the west end of Morden.
“The redesign of First Street and Thornhill was delayed and that hopefully will go through to 2026. That was due to provincial timelines, and we remain committed to seeing that important project move forward because that is a huge safety issue at that intersection,” Penner emphasized. “Council was very adamant that it moves forward.”
Switching gears, Penner went on to reflect on what she saw as a year also filled with community pride.
“We were honoured to host several major sporting events,” she said, pointing to the examples of a U18 curling championship, U13 provincial hockey championship, and a U15 boys and girls softball championship, noting especially the fact the latter was in conjunction with Winkler. “That’s a strong example of regional collaboration. We were able to use both community’s ball diamonds to celebrate those sporting events.”
Looking ahead, she shared they will be working again with Winkler and the RM of Stanley to co-host the 2026 55+ Games.
“Often, those regional events are so successful because we pool our resources,” Penner said.
The mayor also made a point of celebrating the community spirit of Morden.
“Our festivals and events continue to be the heartbeat of our community,” she said, citing examples from Canada Day, Winterfest, and the Back 40 Festival to of course the Corn and Apple Festival.
“It’s moments like this that show just how important it is to showcase our community and how we gather and celebrate and connect,” she said.
Next came thoughts on initiatives that she sees as relating to planning for tomorrow.
“Council advanced several important plans … such as our infrastructure master plan,” she noted. “We are also working on a secondary plan for downtown, and that’s going to focus on revitalizing the central business district by preserving it’s historic character.
“We’re also working on a community climate action plan including risk management assessment and adaptation strategies.”
Community feedback remains an important factor in the work the City does for the betterment of the communiyt, the mayor noted, citing the example of the Crocus Suncatch downtown involving the seasonal closure of a block of Eighth Street. That plan was adjusted based on feedback from the business community through the chamber of commerce by limiting closures to just on certain weekends.
She also noted some significant staff changes at the City of Morden, including having both a new police chief and fire chief, and she especially celebrated being able to promote two very qualified people from within the two departments’ ranks.
Above all else of course is the issue of dealing at long last with handling the community’s wastewater.
“We continue to make progress on wastewater and growth related infrastructure,” she said, highlighting the purchase of land for wastewater expansion as well as $4.5 million in provincial funding for a pipeline to Winkler as a measure to address it until the city has its own project ready to go.
“These steps are critical to supporting Morden’s continued growth, but there’s still some discussions that need to be worked out.”
Penner then offered some final concluding thoughts, touching on how Morden continues aiming to move forward even with the various challenges and setbacks.
“I think the community came through it with determination, co-operation, and heart, and I look forward to what lies ahead,” she said.
“I’m very grateful for the opportunity to serve as mayor for this community. I have a very dedicated council, great city staff,” Penner said. “The city is just abound with volunteers that help with all of the events that happen within the community. We have great community partners, and of course our residents are very supportive.”
