January 15, 2026   Volume 35 No.2

New Lac du Bonnet PCH on schedule

The province of Manitoba says construction of the Lac du Bonnet personal care home (PCH) remains on schedule and on budget for fall 2027 completion.

On Jan. 8, Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara announced the facility will give every family confidence that their loved ones can access the care they need in a space that feels familiar and safe.

“Projects like this allow residents to share meals around real kitchens, welcome grandchildren into bright living rooms, support health-care workers and offer hospital patients a more appropriate place to heal,” Asagwara said.

The 95-bed, $66.4 million facility will replace the existing 30-bed personal care home, adding 65 net new long-term care beds for seniors in the Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (IERHA), with construction underway since fall 2025. The project helps seniors and patients move from hospitals or the community into PCHs that better match their needs or appropriate level of care, and keeps them closer to home, the minister noted.

Foundation work is complete while masonry, steel erection and hollow-core installation is underway. The facility uses a contemporary small-house design model that groups resident rooms into eight self-sufficient households with dedicated kitchens, dining and living areas. Expanded spaces will support improved airflow, infection prevention and the use of modern technology in a home-like setting.
The Lac du Bonnet PCH has been more than 30 years in the making. This project was originally announced in 2012 by the then Greg Selinger NDP government and cancelled by the Brian Pallister Conservatives in 2017 as part of a series of health care facility project cuts across the province to reduce the provincial deficit.
With the IERHA identified as the health association most in need of personal care home spaces in Manitoba, Lac du Bonnet in turn has been identified  as the community most in need in the service area.

The Lac du Bonnet Heritage Corp. was formed in 2018 under the direction of former mayor Gordon Peters, who remains on as CEO. The working group consulted with the town and RM, the province, private sector PCH facilities and construction firms in preparation for a facility design and capital cost estimate as part of a business plan submission to the IERHA.

The project was put back on the table by Heather Stephanson’s PC government in August of last year ahead of the fall election. But shortly after winning the election, Premier Wab Kinew and his government put this project on “pause” along with several others after alleging the finances they inherited were not as originally believed.

In March 2025, Kinew and Asagwara were in Lac du Bonnet to announce the long-awaited PCH was on again.

“After many years of uncertainty, the Town of Lac du Bonnet is thrilled that Premier

Kinew and his cabinet have finally moved the Lac du Bonnet PCH project forward,” said Town of Lac du Bonnet CAO Marley Seymour. “This is an exciting moment for our community, as it represents a long-awaited step in providing our seniors with the care and support they deserve, close to home and family. We look forward to seeing this important project continue to progress and to the benefits it will bring to our residents for years to come.”

Construction is scheduled for completion in fall 2027, with the facility aiming to open by the end of 2027. The IERHA will own and operate the building. Peters and John Neufeld, husband of a Lac du Bonnet PCH resident, emphasized community need and long-awaited progress.

“The Lac du Bonnet Heritage Corporation did the original planning and design of the new PCH, and we are very pleased that the development is continuing,” said Peters. “Seeing the new facility start to take shape is exciting for our community. PCH beds in our area have been short for years and the community waits with great anticipation for the PCH to be completed so the residents will have a place to go as they age and need care. It will be close to home and family, which is so critical as we age.”
“I really am looking forward to the new building. It feels like something our community has been waiting on for a long time,” said Neufeld. “I hope I can live there myself one day. Mostly, I’m happy knowing my wife will have a comfortable home close to family and familiar faces. I’m excited to see it finished.”

Lac du Bonnet MLA Wayne Ewasko said after a year and a half delay, he was happy to see the progress being made on “our Progressive Conservative government‘s commitment to the Lac du Bonnet personal care home”, which was to start construction in September 2023.  

“The project passed through treasury board and received Cabinet approval. Ewasko stated. “It’s unfortunate that the NDP‘s ideology gets in the way of health-care services which Manitobans desperately need.”

SAFARI raises $27,000 for Canadian Foodgrains Bank

By Cathy Juskow

Springfield Area Farmers Aiding Relief Internationally (SAFARI) 2025 marked the 13th year of “growing locally to give globally”, as they support those in need in countries around the world. 

SAFARI farmers are a part of a project where growers come together to raise money for the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFGB), a charity that was formed in 1983 to address the famine in Ethiopia. In 2024-25, CFGB members provided assistance to 1,176,111 people in 37 countries.

The Winnipeg-based CFGB placed second on Charity Intelligence Canada’s list of Top 10 Impact Charities. SAFARI 2025 committee members include Roger and Irene Vaags, Brent Reid, Howard Bredin, Rick Vaags, Debbie Shaver and Dale Friesen. 
SAFARI dedicates land to the growing of crops, with proceeds from their harvest being donated to the CFGB. Along with donations from the public, expenses for growing the crops are lessened by in-kind donations of inputs such as crop insurance along with seed and fertilizer from agricultural suppliers. Local farmers donate their labour to the seeding, spraying, and harvesting of the fields. 

“Our soybeans yielded 50 bushels per acre. We were quite happy with that,” SAFARI’s chair Roger Vaags said. “Our wheat yielded 47 bushels mainly due to drought We would’ve expected a higher yield from the wheat on an average year. The oats were around 125 bushels per acre, which is also a little light due to lack of rain. The three fields totalled about 90 acres, and we were generally pleased with how the yields were.”

The SAFARI fall dinner held Nov. 6 at the Cooks Creek Community Centre was well attended, with about 190 people raising $27,000 as the community continues to generously support SAFARI and the CFGB.
“Our donation to CFGB will bless many people but I can’t help feeling blessed as well,” Vaags added.

Donations are welcome year-round and can be mailed to SAFARI Growing Project, c/o Brent Reid, 27140 Centerline Rd., Dugald, MB, R5P 0A3. Cheques should be made out to SAFARI Growing Project. The Canadian Foodgrains Bank issues tax receipts at year’s end.

The committee is seeking new plots of land for SAFARI crops. For inquiries about donating land, services, and products for the 2026 growing season or general inquiries about the SAFARI Growing Project, Roger Vaags can be contacted at 204-853-2009 or rvaags@mymts.net

If anyone wants to be added to the SAFARI emailing list, please send a message to safarigrowingproject@gmail.com

Fatality in semi, SUV crash

A collision between an SUV and a semi-truck in Lac du Bonnet claimed the life of a Pinawa senior last week.

Around noon on Jan. 9, Lac du Bonnet RCMP responded to a fatal collision at the intersection of Hwy 11 and Minnewawa Street, in the RM of Lac du Bonnet. 
Police say a 2022 Buick Envision, travelling west on Minnewawa Street, entered the intersection and was struck on the driver’s side door by a semi-truck flatbed carrying a tractor, travelling north on Hwy 11. Struck at highway speed, the SUV was pushed into the ditch. The semi also hit the ditch and lost it’s load in the process. 

The driver of the SUV, a 78-year-old woman from Pinawa, was pronounced deceased on scene. 

The driver of the semi, a 41-year-old male from Fannystelle, was not physically injured. 

RCMP continue to investigate.

Potential charges for Hwy 44 crash

RCMP are contemplating charges after they allege a Tyndall resident caused a two-vehicle highway collision last week by not stopping at a stop sign.

On Jan. 9 at around 6 p.m., RCMP were called to the crash at the intersection of Hwy 12S and Hwy 44, just east of Tyndall. Police say an eastbound 2018 Chevy Silverado being driven by a 63-year-old male from Winnipeg, collided with a northbound 2017 Chevy Trax SUV, being driven by a 40-year-old woman from Tyndall. Police claim the driver of the SUV did not stop at the stop sign, and was struck by the pick-up.

Upon arrival, responders found the driver of the SUV trapped inside the vehicle. Members of the Beausejour Brokenhead Fire Department used the jaws of life to extract her from the vehicle. EMS on scene took over patient care. The driver did not suffer life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the truck suffered only minor injuries.

Emergency responders would like to remind motorists to drive carefully and to winter road conditions. Slow down, stay alert and give emergency responders plenty of space when passing an incident scene.

Remembering Queenie from The Clipper 2006-2026

By Mark T. Buss

“Queenie from The Clipper” – office mouser and local celebrity – has crossed the rainbow bridge.

For almost two decades, Queenie ran Third Street South in Beausejour with an iron grip, even extending her territory from Second Street to Fourth and from Park Avenue to Ashton and beyond. Other animals – cats, dogs and even a coyote – were warned, then dealt with aggressively before being chased off.

In her heyday, she was a machine. It was not uncommon for her to lay on the sidewalk in front of The Clipper office during the day and even on the yellow double solid line on Park Avenue between RBC and Access Credit Union at midnight as a warning: enter at your own peril. She fought with every animal or beast that challenged her. She did not lose.

When her living accommodations changed, she began sleeping at The Clipper with regularity. The first mistake we made was feeding her. She moved in full time around 2011 and set up her operation at 27 Third Street South. A litter box and clean water were provided in exchange for mousing duties, which other property owners appreciated as well. She also, with great frequence, brought in birds, squirrels and rabbits for us as gifts. We accepted them rather than upset her.

Having the run of the street, Queenie knew her way around. She watched for cars and crossed the road when safe to do so. In winter, if she was locked out, she knew which buildings had heaters inside and would wait for doors to open and close to find refuge.

She would go missing for days, only to be found locked inside one of the neighbouring buildings. Going home after 6 p.m. meant the last one leaving the office had to do a quick scan of the businesses, often with her sitting in the window or on a table, trapped until the morning.

She became a local celebrity. When the Beausejour Beautification Committee was putting a mural on the side of the old Beausejour Brokenhead Memorial Arena to celebrate the history of Train Whistle Park, she visited daily. Those involved added her likeness to the painting, immortalizing her in the bottom right hand corner.

Over and over again, social media posts would indicate there was a large grey cat at (insert name of business). Who owned the cat? Should they take her/him to the vet? Inevitably a series of responses would follow that it was “Queenie from The Clipper” and that she was to be left alone, don’t attempt to pick her up, she would make her way back when she felt like it... if she felt like it.
Sometimes people would go so far as to say we should take better care of our “pet”.

The reality is we have always been co-pilots in this relationship. We belonged to her, she did not belong to us.

The second mistake we made was to open our hearts to her. Every staff member at The Clipper was bitten and scratched. She would walk across your keyboard and ruin whatever you were working on without remorse, accidentally send a mass email or lay on the stack of newspapers or flyers you were bundelling for delivery.
Over the last year however, she slowed considerably and did not go outside much. She would sniff the cold air at the door and return back to the warmth. Other cats have begun to hang around outside without fear. Mice and birds have begun to find their way back to Third Street. All things must pass.

As she thinned out with age and her steps became wobbly at times, she would need help to get on the desks or climb on your lap and accept a scratch or rub without conditions... almost as if she liked us. Unfortunately, that routine was interrupted at 4:50 p.m. on Jan. 9. We are heartbroken.

On behalf of The Clipper, we would like to thank all the community members who looked out for Queenie over the years. She was not only loved by her family at this newspaper, but by local business folk and many Beausejour residents who made a point of stopping in to the office specifically to visit with her.

We would like to also express our gratitude for the outstanding and compassionate care provided by the Beausejour Animal Hospital. The reception staff, the technicians and the veterinarians were beyond caring, understanding and supportive of us wanting to keep our nearly 20-year-old girl going for as long as she was willing to fight. Even in her weakened state we were advised we had to sedate Queenie when vet visits were required “for the safety of the staff.”
She was harsh. She was loving. She was magnificent. She will be missed.

Brokenhead reveals new zoning bylaw amendments following hearing opposition

By Mark Buss

An RM of Brokenhead open house in Garson last Wednesday displayed a new series of proposed zoning bylaw changes, three months after council received significant opposition to their initial efforts.

On Jan. 7, approximately 55 people attended the open house at the Garson Community Centre where they could review and provide feedback while planners and members of council were on hand to try and answer questions regarding new changes to proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment No. 2269-25.

Municipal zoning bylaws regulate and control the use of development of land and buildings within the limits of the RM and should be adjusted every few years. 
At a hearing held on Sept. 28 in Beausejour, community planner Michael Blatz advised the initial proposed changes were to fix previous errors and to also increase housing supply in the RM by introducing mixed residential-commercial development, detached secondary suites and tiny homes – permanent dwellings between 400 and 800 square feet. Other proposed changes included reducing building lots for R1-S single unit residential and duplexes from 7,500 to 5,500 square feet. Two new proposed types of land use include event facilities and short-term rentals while efforts were being made to allow a property in the St. Ouens area to be zoned seasonal for trailers and tents.

Approximately 275 people were in attendance Sept. 28 with the overwhelming majority opposed to the changes. Approximately 400 objections were raised in letters and petitions identifying concerns. 

Reviewing the feedback, council and administration went back to work with Blatz to create new amendments, which were displayed on story boards in Garson last week. While the open house was not a requirement, council felt it important to add this extra meeting so people could review the latest proposal. 

One of the main issues in the initial bylaw proposal involved an effort to reduce minimum lot sizes and allow denser housing developments across established neighbourhoods, primarily in the LUD of Tyndall-Garson. In the new amendments displayed Jan. 7, all references to ‘tiny homes’ was removed with the minimum sized home remaining at 800 square feet. 

While additional standards are proposed for single unit residential lots where a developer can interject up to 30 per cent of all R1 land in a development to be of R1-S designation with no more than 2 R1-S properties side by side, duplex lots reverted back to in-force rules and 7,500 square feet.

The event facilities land use was removed and the St. Ouens-area rezoning for trailers and tents was also removed.

From his perspective, Blatz said people at the open house were most interested in the status of the proposed rezoning in St. Ouens and Garson, as well as the proposed introduction of the R1-S zone.

“Overall, I’d say reaction to the changes was mixed to positive,” Blatz said. “Although many people were relieved that the RM heard their concerns and made adjustments accordingly, others still have concerns about the amendment.”

Ashley Buller of Tyndall said it was good to see that changes were ultimately made, but that happened because residents showed up, spoke out and stood together. She added direction from the province to remove or alter certain zoning areas also played a role.

“Without that level of community opposition, the outcome would have looked very different,” Buller said. “I am so proud of our community for coming together.”
She added there are still some gaps. 

“Many in the community remain very concerned about multi-unit development throughout the RM and the ability for those projects to move forward as infill through simple zoning changes at council and developer whim in the future,” she said. “That’s an issue that deserves stronger safeguards.”
Brokenhead Coun. Luke Ingeberg agreed with Blatz that those in attendance found some solace in the changes and with Buller that there is still concern with multi-unit development as a whole.

“We have to have a zoning bylaw. It’s not like we can’t have one. We have to have land IDd for development in the future,” Ingeberg said. “Every proposed development goes through a full circulation of provincial agencies for feedback, and any concerns people have can come up at the time of application.”
Ingeberg said he was surprised with the low turnout.

“I was disappointed. We had a lot of opposition to the bylaw, and we went back to rethink this,” he said. “It would have been nice to see more people. We had 400 objectors and 50-plus in attendance. It we got at least half of the objectors out we would have gotten a better feeling of what the people think.”

Now that the open house is complete, council will review the feedback and finalize the changes to the zoning bylaw. There will be another formal notice and a public hearing do-over where residents can again come forward and comment.

PUB raises Hydro rates more than requested

By Tony Zerucha

Extreme drought conditions, the second worst in 112 years, are to blame for a four per cent increase in Manitoba Hydro rates in 2026. 

The Public Utilities Board (PUB) approved the interim rate, which was higher than the 3.5 per cent sought by the utility. The increase affects all customer classes except for Manitoba Hydro’s Diesel Zone.

In its decision, PUB said it opted for the higher increase because of the severe drought, which has left flows into Manitoba Hydro’s watershed at their second-lowest in more than a century. That caused the utility’s projections to shift from forecasted net positive income of $218 million to a $409 million loss.

“In the Board’s view, an increase equal to the legislated rate cap of (four per cent) is necessary to protect the financial health of the utility,” the PUB decision reads in part, with four per cent the maximum increase allowed by The Manitoba Hydro Act. 

“The interim rate increase approved in this order is higher than what the utility requested for the 2025/26 fiscal year, but the Public Utilities Board is of the view that the increase is necessary, on an urgent basis, to protect the financial health of Manitoba Hydro in light of the current drought.”

PUB added it will issue a final rate for the 2025-26 fiscal year and the remaining two years of this rate period early in 2026. It noted that the current-year loss has increased Manitoba Hydro’s annual financing expense by $30 million for the next decade. At a 3.5 per cent hike, Manitoba Hydro will fall far short of its three cash-flow-based targets.

The PUB decision states that in light of the drought-related financial deterioration, Manitoba Hydro acknowledged during the recently completed hearing, that it would need as much of a rate increase as it can get,

“Nonetheless, the utility has not updated its rate request and continues to ask for a 3.5 per cent rate increase effective Jan. 1, 2026. Manitoba Hydro advised that, in making this decision, it considered affordability as well as the possibility of water flows rebounding relatively quickly.”

The Board stated it remains mindful of its mandate to balance the interests of ratepayers against the financial health of the utility. Manitoba Hydro’s residential rates are currently the second-lowest in Canada, but energy poverty continues to be a serious problem in the province. 

“However, while the Board shares the concerns about affordability expressed by several interveners, it must respond to the serious nature of the drought. The Board notes that the purpose of interim orders is to be able to respond to situations of an urgent nature that are outside the utility’s control. In this case, urgent interim rate relief is justified.”

Hydro operating Seven Sisters spillway

Manitoba Hydro is advising resource users, snowmobilers and the general public the Seven Sisters Generating Station began operating the spillway last week.

As of Jan. 8, Manitoba Hydro began releasing water through the spillway, which will increase slush concerns, potential thin ice and open water to McArthur Falls Generating Station. 

As a result, extreme caution is advised for any travel on the waterway between Seven Sisters and McArthur Falls. Increases in flows/spill after a river has frozen may create hazardous ice conditions such as heavy slush and hanging ice at shorelines, as well as thinner ice.

Sections of the Winnipeg River that are currently ice covered between Seven Sisters Generating Station and the PR 211 Bridge are at high risk of becoming unstable and breaking up as spill is released. This also includes ice covered areas downstream of Whitemouth Falls.

Due to frequent and unpredictable changes in water levels and flow conditions, the waterways and ice near hydroelectric facilities and water control structures can be dangerous to the public. This is especially true in the areas immediately upstream and downstream of the facilities and control structures.

The public is encouraged to obey all warning signs, stay away from any open water, keep to marked trails and avoid the water’s edge as banks and rocks can be unstable or slippery.

Winterhawks start 2026 with wins

By Tony Zerucha

The Springfield Winterhawks returned from a month-long break with a pair of wins over the weekend. 

On Jan. 3, Dexter Kuczek and Mathieu Moreira registered a goal and assist each to propel the Winterhawks to a 4-3 win over the Ile des Chenes Northstars. Newcomer MacKenzie Dwyer opened the scoring at 7:55 of the first period, with help from Conner Grunsten. Kuczek made it 2-0 midway through the frame, with Trevor Weimer earning an assist.

After the Northstars scored at 14:01, Kuczek and Adam Blocker set up Moreira at 18:58. Former Eastman Select Bryce Warkentine replied for Ile des Chenes at 19:56 to make the score 3-2 heading into intermission.

The Northstars drew even at 11:29, but the stalemate didn’t last long as Braeden Binda scored the game-winner at 14:12. Moreira and Jakob Hofer earned the helpers.

Springfield won the shot derby 42-32 to make a winner of Steve Christie.
The Winterhawks flew back home to face the Notre Dame Hawks on Jan. 4. Sniper Adam Hughesman opened the scoring 1:27 into the contest. Grunsten and Brody Welsh registered assists. Less than a minute later, Matt Lamoureux set up Kuczek to make it 2-0. 

Notre Dame added a late score at 19:45 to make it 2-1 after 20 minutes. Hawk Roux Bazin scored the next two goals to give the visitors a 3-2 lead early in the third. Springfield quickly replied, as Moreira tied it at 3:19 and set up Hughesman at 8:08. Keith Grondin added an empty-netter to make the final 5-3.

Springfield outshot Notre Dame 33-29. Ashton Howarth was strong in net.
At 6-5 and 14 points, Springfield occupies third place in a tightly-packed SEMHL. They’re five points out of first place, and three teams are within three points of the Winterhawks.

With only seven games left before the playoffs, Winterhawks general manager Steve Gault is still adding to the roster. His latest find is Dwyer, who brings 117 games of ECHL experience to Springfield.

The Winterhawks host the first-place Winkler Royals in a key battle on Jan. 10 at 8 p.m.

Rise in QR code phishing anticipated

By Tony Zerucha

QR codes are making a dramatic comeback, which means criminals will seek to exploit the technology for illegal gains. It’s happening so often that it has a name – “quishing”.

Short for QR code phishing, quishing, sees fraudsters seeking to direct traffic to their own websites. Once there, they steal money and personally identifiable information like Social Insurance numbers and passwords.

Quishing is the logical next step as criminals keep up with technology, Uniqode co-founder and CTO Ravi Pratap said recently. Uniqode’s technology allows companies to issue safe, company-branded QR codes.

It started with email. Once everyone got a Hotmail or Yahoo email address, criminals quickly figured out they could send mass emails with a sympathy-garnering story that would trick people out of their money. Because it was easy (and cheap) to send thousands of emails at a time, only a few had to work for it to be profitable.

Next, they capitalized on the ubiquity of cell phones by sending massive amounts of text messages. Now, QR codes are added to the mix.

Whatever technology is used, the pattern is the same. The goal is to get folks to click on a fraudulent link. That’s the method scammers used when mimicking the former Sunova Credit Union website a few years ago.

Pratap has some advice to protect consumers from quishing. When considering whether or not to scan a QR code, think about how you initially received it. Did you request information, or was it randomly sent to you? If you didn’t request it, seriously consider deleting it.

Before a phone scans a QR code, it often displays the destination address. Examine it closely. If it’s a random grouping of letters and numbers, that’s a bad sign. Legitimate sites often have their brand name in the destination site. Look closely at that too, as some fraudulent sites may be one or two characters off a legitimate site.

“You should think twice about whether you should open it up,” Pratap said. “I recommend not submitting Social Insurance numbers, email addresses and phone numbers on websites that are coming from a QR code whose domain you don’t know.”

Lions donate to LdB Minor Hockey

By Mark T. Buss

The Lac du Bonnet Lions Club made a significant contribution to local youth recently with a donation of $10,000 to the Lac du Bonnet Minor Hockey Association (LDBMHA).

At LDBMHA’s ‘Lightning Days’ on Dec. 14, Lions Greg Short, Mel Mitchell and Mike Roy provided the funding support for the purchase of new jerseys as the previous sets were at end of life. They will also be purchasing U7 dividers so they can host more events, fundraising for U9 rink dividers, fund a trial run of a new skating program and more.

“Donations like these show the continued support and commitment from local organizations. It also shows the importance hockey plays in not only entertaining kids but teaching them some fundamental lessons the game provides,” said LDBMHA president Adam Gorrie. “Just because we are a small minor hockey association, it doesn’t mean we can’t do big things for our young players.”

Lightning Days is a scheduled event when all the Lac du Bonnet Lightning teams play home games on one day. Organizers do draws, mini games, 50/50 and give our players appreciation for being a part of the organization and playing hockey. There are currently 64 youths registered in LDBMHA.

Gorrie said the organization is always looking for ways to raise funds so they can provide the best possible experience for all their players and improve their skill sets and help them grow as individuals. He said Lac du Bonnet Minor Hockey Association VP Jay Griffith was in talks with the Lions Club for quite some time and attended one of their meetings to present a request for donations. The response was overwhelming to donate to minor hockey.

“We are forever grateful for this donation from the Lions Club,” Gorrie said.
Lac du Bonnet Lions President Greg Short said the organization supports all kinds of people and groups, but noted the movement has a fondness for the betterment of children and they are always looking to promote efforts involving young people.
He noted Griffith’s presentation was a good one and the Lions approved the funding request unanimously.

“We’ve raised a lot of money in recent years and we feel the need to give it back. The decision in this case was fairly quick,” Short said. “Hockey is pretty expensive for some families and we thought we would even the playing field so these kids and their families can have new uniforms.”

Walls stepping back from Sabres football

By Tony Zerucha

Springfield’s football community is preparing to say goodbye to its founder Tom Walls, who is stepping down this summer. 

Walls is technically taking a one-year leave of absence from a teaching position with the Winnipeg School Division, who he jokingly thanked for allowing him to spend so many workday hours on football. He and wife Shandy are moving to Colombia after she accepted employment there.

Walls said he’ll stay involved through the spring gym season, and will assist incoming head coach Shane Lucier with planning and play development remotely during the season. In meetings with coaches, players and parents, everyone wished to maintain a similar structure.

Those meetings, while hard, were important for everyone. This includes some seniors who need consistency as they pursue university or junior careers.

“There were two things I needed to do in those meetings,” Walls said. “I needed to let them know I wasn’t leaving them for another team; it was an opportunity for my family, and it was going to be okay.”

Walls had lived in Springfield for three years when Shandy looked in their yard and told him they could erect some goalposts and hold kicking camps.

“I said we can do more than that,” Walls said.

The Sunrise Coyotes program was founded in 2014. The early years brought predictable struggles on the field; some gave up. But others persisted, including a girls’ team that won three championships in four years.

“That showed us it could work here,” Walls said.

That was followed by a powerhouse bantam team that solidified a winning environment. Players and families stuck around. Younger siblings signed up; a program was born.

Equally important was what was happening on the sidelines. Walls and coaches like Ken Clegg, Val Medved, Marcell Pelland and Ian Hickey began coaching peewee together. That was 12 years ago – they’re still together today.

“The coaches really like being around each other. That brings stability,” Walls said.
The high school football come to Springfield in 2019. To date, six seasons have brought five banners to the school, along with a year-round program that keeps the players engaged.

“Year-round programs like we have at SCI, you don’t find them at other schools except for that big ones like Oak Park and Dakota,” Walls said. “They’re huge schools. We have between 560-580 kids.”

Walls said his three proudest life accomplishments are his marriage, kids and Springfield’s football program. The latter has allowed him two blend in the other two. Football wouldn’t have happened without Shandy, who raised funds when few were to be had. Tommy Jr. was an award-winning Sabres pivot who played American college football. Daughter Aiden was active in merchandising.

The winning was nice, and Walls communicated that to his players. More importantly, Walls was reminded of the joy in the process; every team building event, every practice, brought people together. Children were growing into responsible adults.
“The real joy has been in the relationships with the players, coaches and parents,” Walls said. “What these programs teach young people is rarer and rarer in society: not giving up when things get hard, selflessness, and eventual reward over immediate gratification.”

That message has endured, as Walls saw in a recent alumni game. Two original 2019 players brought their own children, one only three months old.
“He thought so much of the program and that game that he wanted his wife and kid to be there,” Walls said.

Walls also joked that when alumni bring their kids, perhaps it’s time for fresh blood to patrol the sidelines. He then got serious when recalling players share stories of substance abuse and suicidal thoughts; they trusted him enough to share their innermost fears.

“One father told me we changed his son’s life for the better; that’s the kind of thing that sticks with you,” Walls said.

Walls has several irons in the fire, including a book that could soon be published. He’s also promoting professional development services to teachers and coaches in South America.

And Walls wouldn’t be Walls without some football. He’ll be coaching the Medellin Raptors.

Is South American football different than what Walls is used to? Canadian football isn’t what a grinning Walls was used to when he initially came north.

“Everywhere else has four downs, and they don’t give you a point for kicking it through the end zone,” Walls laughed. “I’m going back to my roots.”

Smith headed to Manitoba Games

By Tony Zerucha

Oakbank curler Sierra Smith is packing her bags for Thompson, where she will join Team Eastman at the Manitoba Winter Games from March 4-7. 

Smith and Interlake partner Jake Kowalchuk earned their spots by winning a mixed doubles curling regional qualifier at the Springfield Curling Club in Dugald on Jan. 3.
Smith and Kowalchuk took early control in the opening game by scoring two in each of the first two ends on the way to an 11-2 victory. In the clinching second draw, Smith and Kowalchuk broke open a 1-1 deadlock with three in the third end and five in the fifth to win another 11-2 decision. This one was called after six ends.
The partners gelled quickly, after only meeting in September. After a couple of practices, they entered the January regional qualifier.

“Those games were the first games we have ever played together,” Smith said. “We formed a team (after) he reached out to me. We have known each other for around three of four years, as we faced each other in inter-club curling.”
Smith said mixed doubles is different from traditional curling formats in several ways. For starters, there are only two players on each team. Teams throw just five rocks per end, compared to the usual eight.

“One player throws the first and the fifth rock which was me. The other player throws the middle three which was Jake,” Smith explained. “For the game, there’s always two rocks that are in play. The team that has hammer has the rock placed back four foot and the team that doesn’t have hammer has their rock placed as a centre guard, usually mid.”

Athletes between the ages of 10-17 will compete in 12 sports over seven days: ringette, archery, speed skating, futsal, alpine skiing, curling, gymnastics, figure skating, cross country skiing, wrestling, badminton and hockey. 

Sport Manitoba will release the complete Eastman team roster at the end of January. Eastman includes much of the Interlake and communities north of the Trans Canada Highway.

Serving the communities of
Springfield (Oakbank, Dugald, Anola), Beausejour, Brokenhead, Whitemouth, Reynolds and surrounding areas.

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 The Lac du Bonnet Clipper

Serving the communities of
Lac du Bonnet, Pinawa, Seven Sisters, Powerview-Pine Falls, RM of Alexander, the East Beaches and surrounding areas.

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