Something’s happening in the City of Selkirk, and maybe you can’t quite put your finger on it, but you know this – it’s good.
The city is alive and vibrant and there’s a positive energy permeating all facets of life, whether it’s work, entertainment or family, and when things are this good, sometimes we just smile and accept it.
But you don’t have to. You can actually read the City of Selkirk Community Profile and learn about the city’s resurgence and growth and the strategic planning and developments that will keep Selkirk thriving.
Showcasing quality of life
Faisal Anwar, the city’s Director of Sustainable Economic Development, said the Profile gives an overall look at where Selkirk is today – who lives here, what the economy looks like, available health services, and how Selkirkians spend their down time, to name just a few of the topics covered in the Profile.
“The Community Profile showcases our community and the excellent quality of life we have here,” Anwar said.
“It shows the different characteristics of our community and provides an overview of each.”
Selkirk is growing and last year the city released its Investment Profile, aimed at investors and entrepreneurs who see the city as a good place to put their money to work. The Community Profile takes much broader strokes and provides information on multiple facets of life in Selkirk that will benefit investors and entrepreneurs, but also people who already call Selkirk home and those who may be considering a move here.
Embracing growth and our inclusive community
Chief Administrative Officer Duane Nicol said Selkirk is a diverse and inclusive community, and the people who live here take pride in their heritage and their ability to welcome newcomers with open arms. Selkirk has embraced its recent growth spurt and the reason is that it was done strategically.
The city ties all decisions to its Strategic Plan, which calls for the city to take firmer control of its economic destiny and revitalize the city’s image.
“As a growing city, our ‘product’ is the quality of life we offer residents. The profile provides prospective citizens with the information they need to decide whether or not to make Selkirk their home. The profile is a more assertive effort to market the great quality of life this community offers. Developers, realtors and landlords can use it to encourage buyers and renters, and employers can use it to help attract potential employees ” Nicol said.
“It’s an excellent tool that builds on our rebranding effort and will help promote our community. Now that we’ve developed it, we’ll be able to updated it periodically to keep it current and providing value for years to come.”
The Profile details some of the new additions to Selkirk, including the Selkirk Regional Health Centre, Canalta Hotel, Gaynor Family Regional Library and Selkirk Crossing along with local landmarks like Selkirk Park, Marine Museum of Manitoba and our beautiful heritage buildings.
Mayor Larry Johannson said the Profile is impressive in that it truly showcases what a great city we’re living in.
“I think because we do live here, we sometimes take things for granted, but the Community Profile spells it all out and makes even someone like me say, ‘whoa, what a great place’. I’ve lived here my whole life and obviously I’m proud of my city, but when you look at all the good things that are happening today, it really is impressive,” Johannson said.
“The economy is thriving, we’ve got something for seniors, for youth and for families. We’re doing smart development that grows our city but hangs onto our past as well. It’s an exciting time, and the Community Profile vividly demonstrates that.”
Home to new residents and open for business
Coun. Ken Beerman, who chaired the City’s Sustainable Economic Development committee, said when the department was created less than 4 years ago, it was with a vision of improving the city’s capacity to attract investment and new residents. One of the tasks the department identified early on was that the city had to put to rest some of the old perceptions that had erroneously stuck with Selkirk for years and create new marketing tools to help promote the city.
“There’s growth and improvement everywhere you look in this city. There’s housing starts like never seen before, business, whether it’s on West Manitoba or East Manitoba or anywhere else in the downtown, is thriving and there’s an excitement about all of that,” Beerman said.
“There’s a Business Park that’s generating a lot of interest and there’s people and companies that have their eye on this city, yet because all this growth was well planned and well thought out, the people who’ve lived here for years are OK with it. It hasn’t changed the essence of the city, it’s invigorated it.”
Hard copies of the City of Selkirk Community Profile are available at City of Selkirk offices and various locations throughout the city. It’s also available to view or download HERE
