After some uncertainty about the future of the Pine Grove Rest Area just west of Hadashville, the province has announced it will remain open.

Last week a man who has established a food outlet at the rest area received a letter saying it would be closed and the bathrooms removed.

Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler then announced the final decision on whether or not to close the rest stop had not been made yet but the rest area was under review. Schuler’s office has now released a statement saying the previous government closed 10 rest stops, transferred two to municipalities, and put Pine Grove Under review but this administration has decided to keep it open.

David Turchyn is the Reeve of the RM of Reynolds. He notes this is an exciting turn of events.

"It is great news, great to hear that the province has made a great decision to continue with the Pine Grove staying open, I mean, a lot of travelers along the highway will be happy to hear about this. I think that the province has to do their do their due diligence and get their information in place and cooler heads prevail and I know they made a great decision on what they have done."

Turchyn says their local economy benefits when motorists have a safe place to stop in their municipality.

"It has potential just like everything else, whether it be Pineland Nursery or Pine Grove. It is all a part of our economic strategy and if we can move forward with this in a new direction, there is nothing but great days ahead for us."

Last week Ron Schuler cited a necessary $1.6 million overhaul of the sewage lagoon as one of the reasons the rest area was under review. In his statement released this week, he says no decisions have been made regarding the lagoon but those discussions will take place in due course.