Page 24 - Trending Magazine 2018 Summer

Going

flow

with the

BRANDON’S NEW PARTNERSHIP

WITH THE ASSINIBOINE RIVER

By Jillian Austin

hen developing the Back to the Mayor Rick Chrest recalled how the high
River master plan, the notion waters wiped out some of the amenities and
W that “Mother Nature always improvements that had been built over the
wins” was a central focus. years, such as Eleanor Kidd Park and popular
Working with the river, rather than walking trails.
against it, was top-of-mind and shaped the “That was very unfortunate but undaunted
entire 20-year vision for the Assiniboine the Riverbank Inc. organization,” he said.
River corridor. “Lots of people in the community have circled
“Sometimes we forget … that the back around and … are now working with the
Assiniboine River now is just a tiny ribbon river. I think it’s just very symbolic … that
of water through the huge flood plain… we are wanting to embrace this sometimes
and it used to be a (much wider),” said Lois powerful, natural phenomenon … and realize
MacDonald, former general manager of that we have to just work with it, and the
Brandon Riverbank Inc. “It’s just been river will be the boss.”
reduced down to this tiny channel — but it To re-evaluate the space and plan for the
reminds us every now and again, that it’s still future, Brandon Riverbank Inc. hired HTFC
in charge.” Planning + Design to help develop the
Brandon experienced historic flooding in master plan. It was an 18-month process,
2011 and again in 2014. While most of the which included many public consultations.
city was protected, one area that sustained City council approved the master plan in
major damage was the river corridor June 2016. The total price tag is estimated
and the area surrounding the Riverbank at $30 million, and the projects will be
Discovery Centre. completed as funding becomes available.

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