Having sat through an Oak Lake Community Development Board public meeting, a recent whirlwind visit from Manitoba’s Premiere Brian Pallister and covered the potential of a world-class crushing plant, I am reminded of two things that are absolutely essential for progress. Vision and order, in that order.
Premier Pallister made it clear that thriving business does not spring from government handouts, but he was quick to say his government would support serious business endeavours with public infrastructure, so necessary to give legs to vision.
That means, roads and services.
I was surprised at an underlying thought that seemed to arise at the Oak Lake meeting indicating the town was not positioned for a big business venture.
Maybe I just have a smaller understanding of ‘big’.
Any town situated on the TransCanada Highway should think again about their opportunities.
However, as the Oak Lake meeting (including ideas for the entire RM of Sifton) continued, vision also gathered steam.
The fact that there are also two rail lines, and Highway No.2 on the south border of the municipality puts their position in a little better perspective.
The ‘order’ arose when Dave Roulette pointed to the hall’s kitchen, an untouched matter in this meeting, but one that was, in the previous meeting, considered a vital building block for Oak Lake’s future quality of life.
Driving out of Oak Lake on Monday night, heading for home via Number One Highway, I drove down the town’s artery – N. Railway Street.
Leaving a meeting warm with animated discussion, the street, usually broad and wide, seemed like a narrow and intriguing channel in the shadow of snow mountains riding high on the trunks of massive boulevard trees.
Travelling east down Highway One, just past nearby Griswold, I was greeted by a friendly sight. The new gas bar at the junction of the TransCanada and 21 had lights and activity - at 9:00 p.m. It is due to open in the next day or two!
There was no mention of this new neighbour’s development at the development meeting. Yet Sioux Valley’s new reserve and business endeavor is set to become a vital part of the area’s landscape. Is Sifton thinking inclusively?
What was decried at the meeting in Oak Lake was the lack of support for hometown businesses in the past - the ‘dog in the manger’ attitude.
Can this attitude be put in the past, melting away in the face of a sense of community pride and responsibility?
The idea of a cluster of businesses/services is exactly what Virden, for example, displays as Oil King in the region.
Oak Lake is unique, with nearby tourist and recreation destinations. I suspect the Oak Lake resort has flourished because oil has flourished.
I venture to say, venture capital will be important to Sifton’s development, but the first order of the day is vision – the vision to fix up Oak Lake’s hall, not knowing exactly what may come after; or to feature St. Alban’s Church; to erect highway signage pointing to ... (fill in the blanks).
One key industry or entrepreneurial endeavor could pave the way for other services; there would be no discussion about keeping a grocery store. It wouldn’t be in jeopardy.
