The Mayor of Tache says he hopes that by March they will be moved into their new office and public works building.

Robert Rivard says the structure is going up at the corner of Provincial Road 206 and the Trans Canada Highway. He says that has been a huge project, costing nearly $4 million. But he says it is something they have needed for awhile.

"With this new building it should serve us for the next fifty years," he says. "We've developed it and built it so it's bigger than we need."

According to Rivard, when this project was first announced it generated some negative feedback. Rivard says for some people, it didn't sit well that a new municipal office was being built before a recreation complex for Lorette. There was also concern with the municipal office moving out of Lorette.

"It was kind of two shots to Lorette at the same time," he says.

(Tache Mayor Robert Rivard)But Rivard says they explained to residents that by moving out of Lorette, it will allow the Local Urban District of Lorette to take over Tache's public works building. And, by moving the municipal office out of Lorette, it will allow them to use that building for other community services.

"It will be a win-win for everybody," he says. "I think the residents in Lorette are understanding that now because we're not hearing any more negativity."

Another project for 2017 will be construction of their Centre of Canada Park. The park will go up along the Trans Canada Highway, just east of where it intersects Provincial Road 206, north of Landmark. According to Rivard, planning started about five or six years ago but it grew to become too large a project. It has since been scaled back and with the help of a $19,000 grant from Tourism Manitoba, they hope to have the first phase completed by Canada's 150th birthday. That phase will include a parking area, picnic tables and a rest area. He notes the goal is still one day to have a full rest stop with fuel and food.

And finally, Rivard says in 2017 they will need to look at what to do with the recreation centre in Ste. Genevieve. Rivard notes they are currently using a school that is about sixty years old. He says it either needs to be remodeled or rebuilt.

"They've got a very vibrant community there that really runs a great community centre," says Rivard. "But it's just not a facility that's good enough for what they need."

Rivard says residents are looking for a facility to play basketball, host socials, facilitate fall suppers and Christmas parties.

"I think a complete new facility is probably the way it will go," he says. "A nice multi-use gymnasium or area with maybe a couple of offices attached to it and a kitchen, that's what they are looking for and I think that's what they deserve."

Rivard says planning will start this year with hopes of starting construction in about five years. He notes first they need to build the rec complex in Lorette.

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