Page 16 - The Brandon Sun - 2017 Community Leader Awards

16 • COMMUNITY LEADER AWARD
» COMMUNITY BUILDER AWARD
Jason and Robyn Sneath, who have been at the centre of downtown
Brandon’s rejuvenation, were named the inaugural community builder
award winners. (Tim Smith/The Brandon Sun)
Sneaths leaving lasting legacy downtown
BY JILLIAN AUSTIN
A common passion for historical architecture is what initially
drew Jason and Robyn Sneath to downtown Brandon.
But it is the positive reception and enthusiasm from the
community that has inspired them to put down roots in the
Wheat City and continue their revitalization efforts.
“People are so incredibly warm and friendly,” Robyn said,
while sitting at a table at Fraser Sneath Coffee — the couple’s
flagship property at 1031 Rosser Ave.
“We’ve had people drop off thank-you letters in our mailbox,
thanking us for the investment that we’re making in this city —
people that we don’t even know.”
The Sneaths restored the historic building, which was built
in 1890, and is now home to the cafe and SKIN Clinics, Jason’s
dermatology practice.
The couple has had an incredibly busy three years — not only
with their growing family, but with ambitious projects
throughout the downtown core.
Most recently, the couple held the grand opening of Prairie
Lofts. Eight apartments, described as Westman’s first luxury
lofts, are complete with 12-foot ceilings, open concept layouts,
and high-end finishes. The suites are located on the upper storeys
of 829 and 833 Rosser Ave.
Ten Thousand Villages rents the retail space below at 829
Rosser Ave., and a new tenant was recently confirmed for next
door — Innomar Strategies. It is a patient support provider for
specialty pharmaceuticals, with locations across Canada.
The Sneath’s property at 29 Tenth St. will soon be home to
Agriculture at the centre of Redfern’s endeavours
BY IAN FROESE
Ray Redfern has put in farmer-like hours making his
community a better place.
This commitment is what pushed his agricultural retail
business, Redfern Farm Services, to be a powerful regional player
despite being independently owned.
And that same drive steered Redfern to be involved in a myriad
of community endeavours.
“Countless people, myself included, have asked if Ray actually
sleeps,” wrote Sandy Trudel, Brandon’s economic development
officer, who nominated Redfern for the community builder
award.
He is currently an executive member of the council of the
Manitoba Institute of Agrologists, a long-time member of the
Assiniboine Community College advisory committee for
agribusiness and involved with the Brandon Chamber of
Commerce’s agriculture committee.
In perhaps his biggest play on behalf of Westman, Redfern
saw an opportunity and has since spearheaded efforts to entice
a world-scale soybean processing plant to the region, which
would have an economic spinoff that is far-reaching. He spends
as many as 20 hours a week on this project, pursuing support
and funding sources.
His community efforts are motivated by his curiosity and an
acknowledgment he should give back to the people that made
his business a success, with 11 locations in Westman.
“In large part it would be my sense of responsibility to be
simply more than a taker of what the community has offered
me,” Redfern said.
In the fall of 1972, Redfern started his business. They
specialize today in providing crop inputs and its associated
services. They offer a vast selection of related products, affording
them the staying power, he said, to fend off the large multi-
national companies.
His staff members, many long-serving, are amenable to work
the long hours necessary to be at their customers’ side whenever
needed, be it walking the fields with growers or helping them
with their budgets.
“We’ve been willing to be an organization that recognizes
that things aren’t going to go smoothly for the farmer and that
we have to somehow respond, that’s part of our mandate as
Chez Angela Bakery and Cafe.
Reflecting on the past few years, Robyn called it an “incredible public, they have helped to catalyze some positive momentum
adventure,” and said she feels they will look back on this as the
best time of their lives.
“We’re in this very privileged position to be able to do these
things, and to be able to use our money to invest it in improving
the community for everyone,” Robyn said. “I feel so grateful,
that we’re in a position to do something like that.”
Jason said he has thoroughly enjoyed working with Robyn
on projects that they both are so passionate about.
“We bring different skills to the table — I’m the guy with all
the big ideas and she is the one who is really able to see the
projects through to completion. Most nights we sit together
working on this stuff so it’s been a real highlight to do this
together,” Jason said.
Seeing his vision for SKIN Clinics come to life has been a
major achievement.
“To see that all come to fruition where we have this busy,
happening cafe out front, clinic rooms full of clients receiving
laser treatments, and a busy medical practice running on top
of that has been a really rewarding for me,” he said, adding he
is proud of the team they have assembled between the businesses.
Their next project is developing a spa for SKIN Clinics. The
goal is to expand the cosmetic side of the business upstairs, and
incorporate traditional spa services, such as steam rooms,
massage and nail treatments. They plan to build a balcony on
the third floor, overlooking the valley.
“We feel that Brandon has this untapped potential,” Robyn
said. “It has this beautiful valley and very few places actually
capitalize on that view.”
Ray Redfern serves on several boards in Brandon and was named
a finalist in the builder category of the Community Leader
Awards.
well.”
As his business has grown, so too has Redfern’s willingness
to give generously of his time.
He became board president of the Child and Family Services
of Western Manitoba and ran the Marquis Project for a while,
the latter an international development organization with roots
in Westman. He’s been a long-time Lions Club member and
THE BRANDON SUN • THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 2017
The Sneath’s projects not only garner praise from the general
downtown. They both are excited about the prospect of Brandon
University’s ambitious downtown development, that would
include residential and campus components.
“I see so much potential in Brandon as a city and having a
healthy, vibrant downtown is the key piece of that,” Jason said.
“I want Brandon to have a place people can go and walk to
interesting restaurants and specialty stores. This is a city where
there are some exciting opportunities for young entrepreneurs
and the downtown, with its character spaces, is a ripe
opportunity to be curated into something really wonderful.”
» jaustin@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: @jillianaustin
worked with an agricultural research grant committee.
In his induction into the Canadian Association of Agri-
Retailers Hall of Fame, Redfern is credited for his “big heart,
endless energy and irrepressible optimism” and how he gave
selflessly to countless industry boards and community groups.
Bonnie Nay-Draper, manager of business services at
Entrepreneurship Manitoba, has known Redfern since she
worked for a competing business approximately 20 years ago.
She found Redfern a gracious competitor more focused on
building up the agricultural industry than competing for the
same piece of the pie. This sentiment rings true today.
“Our paths cross always and he’s been a mentor and a role
model to me throughout my career and he’s been a big believer
in me,” Nay-Draper said.
“He’s one of those people who leads from a position where
kindness is rewarded, where he actively listens to people and
listens to hear what you’re saying, regardless of your role.”
Flattered by the nomination, and hoping it garners more
goodwill toward his efforts to bring a soybean plant locally,
Redfern said the recognition is indication that hard work can
go a long way.
“I hope, if anything, I can exemplify that an average person
who has some persistence in life can come to the table and be a
contributor in various ways.”
» ifroese@brandonsun.com
» Twitter: IanFroese