The cross-community partnerships continue as the foundations in both Winkler and Morden team up to support the Stanley Community Pathway.
On Monday, the Morden Area Foundation and the Winkler Community Foundation put a challenge out to area residents to donate to the fundraising campaign for the under-construction pedestrian/bike path between the two cities through the RM of Stanley.
They announced that each foundation will match the funds raised, to a maximum of $50,000 ($25,000 per foundation).
“It’s a regional affair here, a trail between Morden and Winkler, so it just seemed natural to get involved,” said Robert Friesen, Morden Area Foundation treasurer. “We just thought this was going to be an awesome attempt to complete this project that has been talked about for years … [for] the two community foundations to get together and do a matching grant that can double people’s money, that’s just an awesome opportunity.”
“The community foundations are excited to partner to show our support and to encourage the community to get involved and support such a great initiative,” agreed Myra Peters, executive director of the Winkler Community Foundation. “We love working together with others to impact our community, so this is a great opportunity, working with Morden, for an initiative that’s impacting both of our communities.”
John Loewen with the Stanley Trail Association says the funding commitment from the foundations is a welcome show of support for the project, which has been generating a lot of positive buzz since the sod was turned last month.
“I think it speaks to the fundamental magic of the project, just the level of cooperation with Stanley, Winkler, Morden, the foundations, the representatives from the three governments, it’s just been cooperative from day one.”
Work on the 10 kilometre paved path will continue through the summer in the hopes of having it completed before winter, save some amenities—rest stops and the like—that will likely need to be installed next year. It’s going in on the south side of the Hwy. 14/3 corridor, separated from the highway by the ditch.
At the sod-turning ceremony a few weeks ago, project leaders estimated they still need about $325,000 in community donations to complete the $4.2 million project. Significant funds have already been committed by the municipalities of Morden, Stanley, and Winkler, the federal and provincial governments, and corporate supporters.
Donations can be made online at stanleytrailmanitoba.ca or by dropping off cheques payable to the Stanley Trail Association at the Morden, Stanley, or Winkler municipal offices.
