Much has happened since we last placed a post on here. We placed patches on the roof in the summer of 2013 to keep out the rain. In December 2013, we officially insured the train station in the name of our committee. On January 28, 2014, we signed a long-term lease with VIA Rail for over 40 years and since then we have been completing work on our charitable status and smaller grant projects.
We have had offers of museum pieces related to the train station and have been in touch with Wins Bridgman of Bridgman Collaborative Architecture in Winnipeg about the next steps in the restoration of the building. We are also working on completing the train rail pergola that we built in the Rivers Millennium Park . A flower bed was added last year.
This year we will have a local welder with artistic talent provide a fan-shaped addition to the inside areas of the pergola so that Virginia Creeper can begin to climb the rails and cover it. We will also place two granite signs honouring those who have donated money to see these things happen. A grant has been applied for through the Provincial Government to get the restoration process moving forward with a study to determine what the space inside the station may be used for.
From a museum and tourist information booth to the home of VIA Rail to the Rivers and Area Community Foundation—lots of ideas have been ongoing and we will continue to keep those flowing.
The flowers have been planted by the stationette to welcome visitors and those who get on and off the train here. We will carry on with more news as it comes our way.