Your seniors tower fight is Steinbach's problem, not ours

Morning from the Valley — here's what's growing in Winkler-Morden.

You know, sometimes you see what’s happening in other towns and you just shake your head. Steinbach, a city that fancies itself a peer, is grappling with a six-storey seniors housing tower, and the city council *still* granted a height variance despite dozens of residents showing up to complain about flooded basements and sewer backups. Can you imagine that happening here? It highlights a real difference in how we plan for growth versus some of our neighbours.

### Why This Matters for Us

Here in Winkler-Morden, we understand smart growth. We're talking about a city council in Steinbach that's pushing through a development that residents are literally saying will flood their homes – because it's already happening in the area. It makes you appreciate how much thought goes into development along our Highway 3 corridor, where new subdivisions for our growing families and new manufacturing facilities for places like Friesen Corporation or Decor Cabinets are planned with an eye on the long game. We don't just build; we build *right*.

* **Community Input:** Here, when the Stanley Agricultural Society or local church groups raise concerns, they are genuinely heard. We don't have developers pushing through projects against clear community well-being.

* **Infrastructure First:** Our growth, including the incredible 14.5% population jump in Morden, is supported by proper infrastructure. We're not just throwing up buildings and hoping for the best with our drainage.

* **Planning for the Future:** We’re a national model for rural growth and newcomer integration because we plan for the people, not just the profits. This means considering how developments impact existing residents.

This Steinbach situation is a prime example of what happens when you don't integrate community needs with development plans. We’re proud of how Winkler and Morden manage our expansion, keeping our existing residents safe and our infrastructure sound, whether it’s for a new Triple E plant or a new housing development for the families coming to our Valley. This isn't just about building; it's about building a sustainable, thriving community that everyone can be proud of.

Corinne Dueck, MiTL Sports Desk.

You can catch Keith and the crew breaking down all the local news every morning — tune in live at mornings.live.