SUMMER DRIVE-IN MOVIES
A request from the Virden Spray Park Committee to hold drive-in movie nights once per month in the Tundra Oil & Gas Place parking lot was granted, provided that all COVID-19 protocols and restrictions set out by Manitoba Health are adhered to. “The screen would have to be set up against something so that trees aren’t blocking the view so we suggested maybe the bleachers (not in use) in the old arena parking lot,” said Deputy Mayor Tina Williams. She explained that details, including the start time, screen placement and compliance with health requirements are yet to be worked out. “They would like to the go-ahead to do it once they’ve met those regulations,” Williams said.
RENT REDUCTION
The Virden and Area Fitness Co-op, located in Tundra Oil & Gas Place, asked to have their monthly rent reduced due to the facility being closed during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Council was advised that the Co-op has been unable to generate new revenue by selling new memberships, and the existing ones will be extended to compensate for the lost time. The decision was made to credit them the cost of the cleaning, amounting to $775 per month, which was not required during the shutdown period.
KING STREET DRAINAGE WORKS
A quotation of $14,557.00 from Allen & Bolack Excavating Ltd. of Brandon was accepted for drainage work at the corner of Eighth Ave. S. and King St. W. This is included in the King Street upgrading project, cost-shared between the Town and Manitoba Infrastructure.
NEW PWRD STAFFER
Councillor Tara Cowan reported that Morgan Barrett has been hired as the Summer Program Coordinator for Prairie West Recreation District. Cowan said Barrett is in the process of setting up a day camp program, which is slated to begin on Monday, July 13.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
A public hearing regarding an amendment to the Town’s Zoning By-Law did not proceed due to a technicality. Development Officer Cory Nixon explained that in preparing for it, he discovered that the notice required to be published in the newspaper was missed. “The advertising requirements under the Planning Act have not been fulfilled,” he told Council. His recommendation to adjourn the hearing and reconvene it on the next regular meeting date, July 28, was accepted.
A conditional use hearing was held to consider a request from Jason Creller, owner of the Seventh Avenue building housing Shari-Lyn Fashions and The Purple Haze. He sought approval to establish a “personal service shop”, which Nixon explained is considered a conditional use in a commercial central zone. Councillor Travis Penner questioned Creller regarding plans for the property. “There will be three tattoo tables downstairs (below The Purple Haze) and an individual piercing room,” he said. He noted that the person in the process of becoming qualified to do piercing is local and in total, four people will be hired. “The guy that’s leasing the property from me is already a tattoo artist, and currently operates The Purple Haze. Creller indicated that the business has exceeded initial expectations and draws customers from out-of-town. “I’m just a Virden boy trying to expand the community and get this town back on its feet,” he said. The plan was accepted with conditions outlined by Nixon, including being in compliance with all applicable Manitoba Health regulations.
