June 2019 Update – Bridgwater Lakes Fountain

The handing off of maintenance responsibilities of a new development from the developer to the City can sometimes be challenging, confusing and frustrating!  Often residents are not aware that in a new development, the developer is tied by contract to deliver a ‘product/item’ to a specified standard. Before the City takes responsibility from the developer, the City ensures the ‘product/item’ is constructed at the specified standard set out in the initial contract. It can be confusing some times for residents (and Councillors) to know who is responsible for what in a new development because hand off of products/item can occur over years! Such is the case in the Neighbourhoods of Bridgwater. Many aspects of the development have been taken over by the city (boulevards, round abouts, play structures in some areas, pathways, sidewalks, etc) but other products / items are still under the maintenance responsibility of Manitoba Housing Renewal Corporation (soccer fields in Forest and Lakes, play structures in Trails, fountain in Trails, etc.)

The maintenance of Bridgwater Lakes Fountain is in the ‘process’ of being handed off from Manitoba Housing Renewal Corporation to the City of Winnipeg.

You may recall last year (2018) the City and Manitoba Housing Renewal Corporation were having a challenging time

A decision was made over the winter months on what upgrades had to occur by Manitoba Housing & Renewal Corporation – to meet contractual specification – before the City takes maintenance and ownership responsibilities. This is the status as of May 28, 2019 – and what will be occurring before the City takes over responsibility.

Mechanics of the Fountain

• The City of Winnipeg is now responsible for the maintenance and operation of the fountain. The fountain will not be turned on until Manitoba Housing & Renewal Corporation completes the following:

Metal Columns, Paving Stones and Fake Turf inside the Fountain

• All of these items are still the responsibility of the Province who will be bringing them up to the contractual specifications.
• The metal columns are to be painted – which has occurred
• Paving stones must be leveled as they have shifted and now present safety issues. Manitoba Housing has contractors working on the fountain mid June. We are not sure how long the leveling will take but during the paving stone leveling – the water will be turned off.
• The green turf will be replaced as it is torn in locations.

Water Bend Park (green space surrounding the Fountain, including lighting)

• Before the City takes over maintenance of the sod and lighting, Manitoba Housing & Renewal Corporation must bring the sod and lighting up to the contractual specifications.
• Manitoba Housing & Renewal Corporation has been asked (by the City) to replace all the sod around the fountain this construction season. We are unsure if and when that will occur. As soon as I know if and when the sod removal & replacement around the fountain will occur –  I will update.

Soccer Field Across from Fountain

• Manitoba Housing & Renewal Corporation has been asked (by the City) to replace all the sod on the soccer field this construction season. We are unsure if and when that will occur. As soon as I know if and when the sod removal & replacement on the soccer field will occur –  I will update. For additional details see Sod Replacement on Three Soccer Fields

In summary – the handing off of maintenance responsibilities of a new development from the developer to the City can sometimes be challenging, confusing and frustrating!  I as well as all residents want to use our outdoor greenspace and fountain in the summer months. I do believe this will be resolved once and for all by end of July when City inspects Manitoba Housing & Renewal Corporation’s upgrades to the amenities.

(Update June 6th, 2019)

• Manitoba Housing & Renewal Corporation has been asked (by the City) to replace all the sod around the fountain this construction season. We are unsure if and when that will occur. As soon as I know if and when the sod removal & replacement around the fountain will occur –  I will update.

If you have any questions about the work Manitoba Housing is doing, feel free to contact:

Dwayne Rewniak, MCIP, RPP

Executive Director, Strategic Initiatives, Housing Delivery & Land Development

Manitoba Housing / Department of Families

Email: Dwayne.Rewniak@gov.mb.ca