October 8, 2026

IERHA fall flu clinic schedule released

The Interlake-Eastern Regional Health Authority (IERHA) is hosting 30 flu clinics in 21 different communities across North Eastman this year. This annual seasonal influenza campaign starts on Oct. 15 and will continue through to Nov. 20. 

Seasonal influenza, pneumococcal 20 vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine will be available for those eligible as per Manitoba Health guidelines.

Appointments can be booked through the provincial vaccine booking line at 1-844-626-8222 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. You can also book online by visiting www.ierha.ca and clicking on “Respiratory Virus Season Vaccination Clinics.”
Please note:
• Most clinics in the region are walk-in only. 
• Practise good hand-washing and social distancing. 
• Do not come to your appointment if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms.
• Please come right at your appointment time to avoid congestion.
• Bring your Manitoba Health Card and wear a short-sleeved shirt.

IERHA’s Flu Clinics
- Anola (Anola Community Club) Oct. 21 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Beausejour (Brokenhead River Community Hall) Oct. 20 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 3 from 1-7 p.m. and Nov. 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Bissett (Bissett Hall) Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon.
- Cooks Creek (Cooks Creek Community Centre) Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Dugald (Dugald Community Club) Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Grand Marais (Rec Centre) Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Hadashville (Hadashville Recreation Centre) Nov. 17 from 2-4 p.m.
- Lac du Bonnet (Lac du Bonnet Legion) Oct. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Oct. 27 from 1-6:30 p.m. and Nov. 10 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Also at the Lac du Bonnet Health Centre on Nov. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Oakbank Oct. 24 (Kin Place EPH MPR) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Nov. 18 (Oak Bank United Church) from 2-6 p.m.
- Pinawa (Pinawa Alliance Church) Oct. 22 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Nov. 12 from 2-7 p.m.
-  Powerview-Pine Falls (Pine Falls Health Complex Bear Room) Nov. 2 from noon to 7 p.m. and Nov. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Rennie (Rennie Community Club) Oct. 26 from 2:30-4:30 p.m.
- Seven Sisters (Seven Sisters Community Centre) Nov. 5 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- St-Georges (St-Georges Parish) Oct. 23 from 2-5 p.m.
- Stead (Stead Community Club) Oct. 23 from 9 a.m. to noon.
- Tyndall (Tyndall Village Community Centre) Oct. 29 from 1-4 p.m.
- Victoria Beach (East Beaches Social Scene) Oct. 21 from noon to 7 p.m. and Nov. 16 from noon to 4 p.m.
- West Hawk Lake (West Hawk Lake Fire Hall) Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon.
- Whitemouth (Whitemouth Hall) Nov. 5 from 3-6 p.m. and Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon.

T-shirt fundraiser for paramedic with cancer

By Jann Perry

The Beausejour Brokenhead Fire Department (BBFD) is selling T-shirts to raise funds for one of their own, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. 

Firefighter and paramedic Izzy Szustakowski was recently diagnosed with necrotic ductal carcinoma of the breast, an aggressive form of breast cancer. Szustakowski has dedicated her life to showing up for others and now the BBFD says it is time to show up for her and remind her that she has an entire community in her corner. 

The BBFD is selling ‘Izzy Strong’ T-shirts in black and pink for $30, with all proceeds going directly to Szustakowski to help with expenses during this time. 

Right now, there are still many unknowns. Szustakowski will be undergoing additional scans and testing to better understand the extent of the cancer, how aggressive it is, and whether it has spread elsewhere in her body. 

Along with surgery, her treatment journey is expected to include chemotherapy and radiation. As more information becomes available, her medical team will determine exactly what the road ahead will look like.

As overwhelming as a cancer diagnosis already is, there is another reality Szustakowski is having to face – the financial impact of stepping away from work while she undergoes treatment, surgery and recovery.

This diagnosis came without warning, leaving very little opportunity to financially prepare for what could be a long and difficult journey ahead.
To order a T-shirt, or for more information, email adminbbfd@townofbeausejour.com

Lac du Bonnet candidate forum well run

By Mark T. Buss

Around 60 people turned out for the Lac du Bonnet Chamber of Commerce hosted all candidates forum Sept. 25 at the Lac du Bonnet Community Centre to hear from those running for RM of Lac du Bonnet council in the Oct. 28 election.
A total of seven RM candidates attended in person – incumbent reeve Loren Schinkel and opponent Darren Sarapu, as well as incumbent councillors Greg Mandzuk and

Cindy Kellendonk and challengers Kyle Dewald, Rob Doyle and Clifford Hoebee. Incumbent Jeff Easton was unable to attend due to work commitments while challenger Jackie Britton attempted to participate remotely but could not due to technical issues. Her speech was read into the record by one of the organizers.

The event was intended to be a joint forum for RM and Town of Lac du Bonnet candidates, but with only five individuals running in the town, all positions were filled by acclamation. Mayor Ken Lodge, Coun. Brian Choptain and incoming councillor Henry Dudeck still attended and answered questions.

Chamber president Laurette Greenlay welcomed the audience as moderator for the event. She kept the forum moving by keeping speakers within their allotted time frames as they responded to questions submitted prior to the forum.

Questions asked surrounding recycling, concerns about water traffic and bylaw enforcement made it difficult for challengers to contribute as incumbents have the inside track on policy and past processes. On the issue of recycling, Schinkel said since the town closed their recycling facility, the RM has seen a significant increase in business recycling at their site, but the rebates from Multi-Material Stewardship Manitoba have reduced. 

“We are pushing hard back at the province,” Schinkel said. “Right now we do pay double for what it costs on the recycling program for the costs that we are paying for our transfer station to go to St. Clements on the refuse side. It’s an ongoing process... and we are looking for cost efficiencies wherever we can.”

Lodge addressed the town’s changes to garbage collection in 2026. He apologized to the business community for the challenges they incurred but noted several necessary adjustments were made as the old process was “not sustainable” as costs were going through the roof.

“One thing we did learn... was really the importance of consulting with people before those decisions are made,” Lodge said. “It doesn’t necessarily mean those decisions would have changed through the consultative process, but we neglected to do that. For that, we are deeply sorry.”

Some questions were asked of specific candidates. Doyle was asked how he would regain the trust of the public after his previous term on council (2018-2022) was one of the more disruptive in recent memory. Doyle was part of a group that was largely uncooperative with the town, going so far as to dissolve the planning district and kick their neighbours out of the community development corporation, recreation district and other shared services. In the end, he was not re-elected for a second term in 2022.
Doyle admitted he “made mistakes” and got “lumped in” with other councillors who, he said, did not always have the information required.

“What I’m going to do different is listen to ratepayers... and just get more information,” Doyle said. “I started getting that near the end. I ran four years ago and lost and definitely learned my lessons from that... so hopefully I can build the trust back.”

Asked is he had regrets while in public office, Schinkel also referenced the 2018-2022 council, a group of people that he said had their “own agenda” and tried to frustrate him enough where he would quit as reeve, which he did not.

“When councils collaborate behind the scenes and have garage meetings and then come and impose that will onto the residents they are supposed to serve, that doesn’t work,” Schinkel said. “I’m glad I hung in there. The electorate saw through that and those people were not re-elected.”

Sarapu was asked directly about his current battle with the RM and if he has a hidden agenda after council ordered the removal of trailers from his Leeside Park Marina over code violations. He said he doesn’t believe there is any conflict of interest concerns as the legal proceedings were started by his late father in 2024. During the process with the RM however, he claims to have discovered several “discrepancies”, which has lead him, in part, to run for reeve as he says he has seen things that are “slightly off”.

“If I am successful as reeve, I would like to look into some of the procedural aspects, municipal enforcement is one. Passing the bylaws (and) resolutions in council, making sure they adhere to the Municipal Act and its rules... ” Sarapu said. “The legal proceedings I don’t see have any effect on my term.”

Kellendonk was asked what topics was she passionate about other than her “health-care crusade.” She did not apologize for her push for health-care and wore the crusade comment like a badge of honour as she discussed her involvement in the heritage corporation responsible for the new personal care home currently being built.

“Am I proud of that... I’m bursting with pride. I’m hopeful for our community. It’s going to mean so much and bring so many more opportunities, not only for our seniors but to bridge the gap for our youth with opportunities for employment,” she said. “If you want to call it a crusade, great.”

The most responses for any one question was what ideas each potential candidate had regarding youth engagement. Mandzuk referenced a program the RM has with the high school where students are able to apprentice as mechanics under municipal staff while Schinkel spoke about the Green Team program for summer employment as well as engagement at the youth centre and the arena. 

Kellendonk said she would like to see the town and RM work together to create more recreation programs while Hoebee said he would like to see a Big Brothers/Big Sisters program come to Lac du Bonnet as there are youths out there who do not have both a mother and a father and they could use some mentoring.

“I was one of those kids that had a Big Brother and it meant so much to guide me and put me on the straight and narrow and I turned out to be a really good guy,” he said to laughter. “I’m a really big advocate and I would like to see that organization in our community.”

Green Bay Bridge rebuild complete

By Jann Perry

The Green Bay Bridge replacement project is complete and has been delivered under budget.

The bridge on Road 45E has an estimated life-span of 75 years. It also features a wider deck, a higher elevation and a wider open span across the river, providing improvements to the bridge and its overall capacity.

Built in 1945, the original Green Bay Bridge was a four-span timber bridge that crosses the Brokenhead River. The structure consisted of an asphalt surface, timber stringers, abutment caps and piles along with concrete shaft piers. Over time, multiple shims have been placed between the pier shafts and timber caps to level the bridge due to continued settlement.

The 30-metre bridge was inspected on July 4, 2022 using visual and sounding techniques on the accessible components. It was found to have reached its life-span and required replacement. Deficiencies included cracking of asphalt along with rotten guardrail posts, girders, piles, abutments and pier caps. As much as three-foot separations were visible at pier shafts and cracks extending from delamination. A geotechnical investigation was done to determine replacement foundations for piers.
In July 2025, the Province of Manitoba announced it was providing up to $1.45 million to replace the aging bridge, which was estimated to cost roughly $1.98 million to rebuild. The funds come from the Municipal Economic Development Infrastructure Program, which Brokenhead CAO Sheila Mowat applied to in September 2023.

The remaining funds were allocated from Brokenhead’s bridge reserve.
The bridge was closed to all motorized and non-motorized traffic for reconstruction from

Dec. 8, 2025 to March 31 of this year. Work was done in the winter to minimize disruptions to seeding and harvest seasons.

Open from April 1 to June 6, it was closed the second week of June with the completion of the project recognized as June 14.

The final construction cost was $1.88 million, resulting in savings of more than $52,400 for the RM.

Three Chambers to host Small Business Week pop-up market

By Mark T. Buss

Three regional chambers of commerce are joining forces for a joint pop-up market to celebrate Small Business Week later this month.

On Oct. 21, the Beausejour, Lac du Bonnet and Pinawa Chambers of Commerce will host an event at the Brokenhead River Community Hall in Beausejour from 6-8 p.m. that will showcase local businesses in one convenient location in what will be and exciting evening.

Rather than traditional networking, this event will create a fun, interactive atmosphere where attendees can discover businesses, sample products, watch live demonstrations and make meaningful connections as they explore the marketplace. 

This event is free for Chamber members to set up a table and open to the public to attend. Because businesses from multiple Chambers are invited, organizers are creating an opportunity to make connections beyond individuals business network.
“Rather than hoping people discover a business online or waiting for them to walk through your doors, this event gives the opportunity to put a business directly in front of local consumers and fellow business owners in one evening,” said Beausejour Chamber of Commerce executive director Mikayla Buss. “Let’s show our communities just how much incredible talent, creativity, products and services are available right here in our own backyard.”

Lake Life Powersports on the grow

By Mark T. Buss

Lake Life Powersports continues to crack the throttle on their motorsports and marine dealership with the reveal of their new 21,000-sq-foot showroom just 2.5 years after setting up shop in Lac du Bonnet.

Lake Life hosted an estimated 600 guests at their grand opening Sept. 25, with dealer principals Craig Becker and Glen Hart engaging attendees and sharing news of their expansion. The celebration was active with live music, food, drinks and a presentation closed out by an impressvie fireworks display.

Lake Life Powersports is located on a 10-acre property at the junction of Hwy 11 and PR 317 providing easy access to locals and surrounding communities. 

North Eastman’s first Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. (BRP) dealer, they stock side-by-sides, ATVs, snowmobiles, fishing and pontoon boats from names such as Can-Am, Manitou, Tige, ATX, Crestliner, Sea-Doo, Ski-Doo and Lynx. They are also a Mercury Marine engine dealer.

“Five years ago this was a dream on paper, and believe it or not, BRP with their partners helped us draw this property,” Becker said at the recent event. “So many people helped us get here today and we have nothing but gratitude.”

“Five years ago this was a dream, and now you are standing in it.”

 Opened for business in February 2024, the original Lake Life facility spanned 16,000 square feet and housed the showroom, sales, service and parts departments and indoor storage. The showroom and sales departments have since been relocated to the new 21,000-sq-ft building providing space to convert and expand parts and service at the initial location. Other buildings are set up for cold storage.

Becker and Hart say the early expansion can be attributed to demand for products and service, and overwhelming support from the community. With Becker’s experience and success in dealership operations, and Hart’s decade of snowmobile racing throughout North America, the team has a lot to offer their patrons. 

Becker and Hart knew from first-hand experience that powersports is a business idea that works well in rural communities, particularly in one that boasts as a four season playground like Lac du Bonnet. Friends for nearly 40 years, Becker’s grandparents purchased a cottage in the area in the early 1980s where both he and Hart spent many summers. Hart purchased the cottage over a decade ago.
Since launching the business, Lake Life employ around 35 people, primarily from the

North Eastman region.
With no downtime in the business, the overlap of seasons and products has resulted in strong sales for powersports equipment in their catalogue. As a result, David Baker, vice president and GM of powersports for BRP, publicly announced at the Sept. 25 event that Lake Life Powersports was named Sea-Doo National Dealer of the Year – an unbelievable honour for the entire team, made even more meaningful by sharing it with all of our customers that made the achievement possible.

“Two friends had a dream; a dream of building a dealership in Lac du Bonnet,” Baker said. “The entire team here make Lake Life the best dearlership in Canada.”

Kids Korner requests crosswalk improvements

By Tony Zerucha

Operators of Oakbank Kids Korner are asking Springfield council for improvements on Balsam Crescent as they say some motorists don’t stop for children crossing the road.
At the Sept. 8 council meeting, director of Public Works Blaine Moffat said he recently received a message from the daycare. Oakbank Kids Korner assistant director Jen

Didora said the problem has existed since the crosswalk was installed years ago. She said a recently installed sidewalk has helped a little. There also used to be painted lines on the road, but not for the last few years.

“When staff are on the road, people actually drive around them,” Didora said, adding the problem is most acute between 8 and 9 a.m. and 3 and 4 p.m.

Didora would like to see lights similar to the ones in Dugald near the school.
“They catch your attention,” she said.

Similar safety crossing equipment is estimated to cost $20,000.

Didora knows the problem isn’t confined to Oakbank Kids Korner. She has witnessed close calls on Cedar Avenue too.

“We should thank all crossing guards,” she said.

In Manitoba, there have been several instances where children have been killed while using crosswalks on their way to school.

In 2018, an eight-year-old boy attending École Varennes was hit by a pickup truck while using a crosswalk on St. Anne’s Road in Winnipeg.

The tragedy sparked local community concerns and renewed calls for improved pedestrian safety and traffic signals at busy intersections.

One year later, a four-year-old girl was struck and killed by a vehicle while in a crosswalk with her mother at Isabel Street and Alexander Avenue.

The tragedy spurred the city to implement flashing amber light upgrades and review surrounding crosswalk safety.

Mayor Pat Therrien said he has personally witnessed poor motorist behaviour at Balsam Crescent.

“For the sake of our kids, $20,000 is nothing,” Therrien said.

A study will be conducted when equipment becomes available. Council heard there are many requests for traffic studies and limited resources are available. 
Any improvement expenditures would need to be included in the 2027 budget.

No independent coalition with Khan: Lagassé

By Mark T. Buss

Local MLAs weighed in on the resignation of Obby Khan last week as leader of the Manitoba Progressive Conservative party to sit as an independent, with North Eastman MLA Bob Lagassé advising he will not be teaming up with his former boss.
On Sept. 28, Khan announced he was stepping down as leader of the official opposition and away from the party. During a late afternoon press conference, Khan said he survived a non-confidence challenge over the weekend by a vote of 13-6, but that did not stop a minority group of Tory MLAs from continuing to push for his ouster.

Khan narrowly won the PC leadership over Wally Daudrich in April 2025. The MLA for Fort Whyte will continue to serve his constituents as an independent.
“I am making this decision because I will not allow a fight for a title to take precedence over my responsibility to Manitobans and compromise my personal integrity,” Khan said during an emotion-filled speech.

The PCs named Konrad Narth (La Vérendrye) interim leader as the latest sitting of the Legislature kicked off Sept. 29.

In March, Lagassé announced he left the PC party and would likewise continue to serve Dawson Trail as an independent after years of behind the scenes issues, anger and vitriol in the legislature took its toll on his mental health. He encouraged other members of the Legislative Assembly to join him in leaving partisan politics behind for the betterment of Manitobans.

Following Khan’s departure, Lagassé said “it is clear the PC Party has been in a state of turmoil, and this is another example of why the party system is not working for Manitobans.”

He noted during the last session, he brought forward a resolution calling for fairness and equality for independent MLAs in matters before the House. With speculation growing that he was working to form a coalition with other independent MLAs in Manitoba, he wants to be clear that is not the case.

“The initiative was about ensuring that all elected members have a fair opportunity to participate in the democratic process and effectively represent their constituents. It was not an effort to create a coalition or political organization,” he said. “Working cooperatively with other elected members on individual issues should not be confused with forming a political coalition, caucus or organization.”

Lac du Bonnet MLA Wayne Ewasko thanked Khan for his time spent at the helm of the party and welcomed Narth as interim leader.

“I look forward to continuing to represent the voices and concerns  of the Lac du Bonnet constituents and hold this current NDP government to account,” Ewasko stated in an email.

During his departure, Khan thanked caucus members who supported him, including Springfield-Ritchot MLA Ron Schuler. The Clipper reached out to Schuler for comment. None was received by press time.

Comets start season with 2-0 record

By Tony Zerucha

The Beausejour Comets are 2-0 heading into this week with their offence registering 13 goals so far in the 20026-27 campaign.

Beausejour had to come from behind to top the La Broquerie Habs 5-4 on Sept. 27. Down 2-0 entering the second period, the Comets scored four in a row. Greyson Wood scored two, with Job Peters and newcomer Jackson Kostiuk adding singles.

La Broquerie rallied to tie the game 4-4, but Easton Gaffray scored the game-winner with four seconds remaining in the frame. The third period was scoreless.
Cedric Chartier made 44 saves in his Comets debut. Former Eastman Select Jaxon Loewen made 30 stops for La Broquerie.

Wood, Gaffray, Kostiuk, Peters, Logan Ashe and Tyler Nault all collected two points for the Comets. Former Select Colton Pakoo led the Habs with three points.
Beausejour doubled the St. Malo Warriors on Oct. 2. Kostiuk led the way with a goal and three assists, while Peters and Luke Wagner scored twice each. Wagner comes to Beausejour with 156 games of MJHL experience over the past four seasons.
Vaughn Senebald, Carter Lee and Kellan Sichewski also scored for Beausejour.

Gaffray had three helpers. Chartier earned another win with 30 stops.
The Comets travel to La Broquerie on Oct. 9 for a visit with Les Habs.

Beausejour’s next home game is on Oct. 16 at 8 p.m. against the Warriors.

Xtreme open HTJHL season with split

By Tony Zerucha

While the Springfield Xtreme roster features several new names, head coach Paul Binda’s goal remains the same: capturing a Hanover-Tache Junior Hockey League championship.

The Xtreme opened the season with a 6-5 loss at the MacDonald Swarm on Oct. 2. Springfield surrendered the first two goals before newcomer Carson Specaluk scored unassisted at 15:58 of the first period.
Springfield opened the second stanza with three straight to take a 4-2 lead. Aidan Osborne, Leonardo Phelps and Tristan Dickenson hit the twine. Phelps played 93 games for Murdoch Mackay in the WHSHL over the last four seasons, scoring 40 times. Dickenson was last with the Springfield Sabres.
The Swarm buzzed the Xtreme with four straight goals to grab a 6-4 edge eight minutes  into the third. Newcomer Joshua Smeltz made it 6-5, but the Xtreme couldn’t find the equalizer. Smeltz has two HTJHL campaigns with the Niverville Clippers on his resume.
Tyson Murdock made 33 saves in defeat. Springfield took 35 shots at the Swarm’s Jack Martin.

Several other skaters made their Xtreme debut. After graduating from the Barons, Miles Armit played 20 games for the Beausejour Comets. Liam Carlson played for Murdoch Mackay last season, while Luc Simon suited up for the Mountain Mustangs. Alex Rakowski makes the jump from College Jeanne Sauve.
Springfield bounced back with a 7-2 thumping of the Red River Mudbugs on Oct. 3. The game was tied 2-2 midway through the first period, but Armit scored the eventual game-winner with 11 ticks left in the frame. The Xtreme scored four more unanswered goals, with Osborne netting a pair and Smeltz and David Hazlitt adding singles. Hazlitt and Evan Jasper scored in the first period.

Quinn Boulanger made 29 saves for the Xtreme, who peppered Red River with 45 pucks. Boulanger spent the past two campaigns at St. Paul’s High School.
The Xtreme continue a five-game homestand on Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. when Ste. Anne comes to town.

Comets preparing for new hockey season

By Tony Zerucha

Beausejour Comets head coach Troy Kennedy is feeling confident in his team on the eve of the 2026-27 Capital Region Junior Hockey League season, and given their early schedule, that confidence is needed.

The Comets open the regular season at home against the champion La Broquerie Habs on Sept. 27 at 4:30 p.m. Their first four games are either against the Habs or arch-rival St. Malo Warriors.

Kennedy spent last weekend watching his charges split a pair of 3-2 decisions against the Selkirk Fishermen. On Sept. 19, Logan Ashe scored twice, and Job Peters added another in a Comets win. One day later, Peters and top newcomer Jackson Kostiuk lit the lamp in a 3-2 defeat that saw former Powerview-Sagkeeng Wild star Ryland Schroeder score for Selkirk.

While some roster decisions have yet to be made, Kostiuk has earned a spot. In 101 career games with the Steinbach Pistons, Kostiuk scored 33 goals, 60 assists and 102 points. He also played 45 games for the Western Hockey League’s Prince Albert Raiders.

“It’s always exciting to hit the ice and get things started up again,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy spent the two exhibition games looking at defence pairings and line combinations. He also has some tough decisions to make on his veterans, given that CRJHL teams are only allowed six 21-year-olds. The Comets have one extra, so a tough decision awaits.

The Comets will have a new look on the blue line, with former Eastman Selects Kellan Sichewski and Finley Titterson. Sichewski, a Garson native, has 122 games of AAA U18 experience, while Titterson has played in the MJHL, MMJHL and two BC junior leagues since graduating from the Selects in 2023-24.
Both bring size and talent. Kennedy hopes that will give his opponents more things to think about this season.

The forward group will be mostly familiar faces, but Kennedy said some younger players could earn more ice time.

“We have a lot of skill,” he offered.

Other new faces in camp include Gage Ferguson, who suited up for the HTJHL’s Ste. Anne Aces last season. Ferguson scored 30 times in 25 games, while adding 16 helpers for 46 points. Brodie McDonald is attempting to make the jump from the Edward Schreyer Barons, after suiting up for one Comet game last season. 
Talented defenseman Taigan Newton also played once for the Comets last year, in addition to playing for the Springfield Sabres, Transcona Railer Express and Springfield Xtreme. He averaged two points per game for the Sabres last season. Comets defeated Bats and Beavers 20-15 in the C final.

Springfield pigeon racing plans take flight

By Tony Zerucha

A Springfield man’s dream of hosting racing pigeons on his property has taken flight after Springfield’s council approved his conditional use application. 
Satvinder Singh Benipal sought permission to house 15 racing pigeons in his Murdock Road yard. In a submission to council, Benipal said he has long been a pigeon racing enthusiast and this is not a commercial enterprise He plans to race the pigeons in the summer months.

Municipal staff said pigeons can travel up to 700 miles a day at heights up to 6,000 feet. They also cited concerns about the disease risk from droppings, nest debris and parasites.

Benipal’s plans brought objections from the Springfield Flying Club, which makes its home at the Lyncrest Airport, located 2.2 kilometres south of Benipal’s home. Club president Frank Thomas said Lyncrest’s aircraft traffic pattern takes aircraft near Benipal’s property. With pigeons flying in flocks, the risk of bird strikes is high. The pigeons could also attract predator birds, further increasing the strike risk.
“Pigeons are recognized by Transport Canada as a Level 3 bird strike hazard to aviation safety that poses a significant risk to the safe operations of airports,” Thomas wrote in his submission. “A pigeon aviary at this location will increase the risk of small aircraft bird strikes. This poses a safety risk to pilots, their passengers and people on the ground.”

“It’s all about safety for me,” Coun. Glen Fuhl said. “I don’t need to hear a report of a plane hitting a pigeon and a pilot getting killed. I think that’s everyone’s concern.”
Thomas said he’d be open to certain flight patterns, provided the birds fly at lower elevations. Following a suggestion for a one-year trial from Fuhl, he said he’d be open to that.

Mayor Pat Therrien said Canada geese are numerous and also fly in flocks. He felt no conditions were required.

“I don’t see this as dangerous,” Therrien said, before adding he would go with the majority of council.

Council voted 3-2 to approve a one-year trial. Therrien, Fuhl and Coun. Melinda Warren voted in favour, with Couns. Andy Kuczynski and Mark Miller opposed.

The Clipper Weekly

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