The Kleefeld Recreation Association (KRA) has decided how to use funds from its insurance payout.

In August, Steinbachonline.com broke the story that the KRA would be receiving more than $101,000 from an insurance settlement through the Rural Municipality of Hanover. Hanover had settled an insurance claim for $112,029 for losses and expenses as a result of the forensic audit of the former KRA. Ten per cent of that total went to Hanover to cover its share of the auditing cost.

Darrin Warkentin sits on Kleefeld's recreation committee because of his role as Councillor for the RM of Hanover. Warkentin says right now they have two main projects they would like to tackle within the park. The first project will see the installation of a new playground structure. He notes their current structure is in dire need of replacement. At a cost of approximately $70,000, the KRA has purchased the equipment and will be looking to set it up next year.

The second project they will tackle in 2020 involves their two baseball diamonds. Warkentin explains their diamonds do not drain well and so they will be improving drainage but also rebuilding the infield and levelling the outfield. He notes it remains to be seen exactly how much money they will spend on this project. And, he says they will probably complete the repairs over two years so that both diamonds are not out of commission at the same time.

In addition to the $101,000, Kleefeld also has $80,000 to spend through Community Development Initiatives (CDI) funding by Manitoba Hydro.

Warkentin says deciding what to do with the money, really was not that tough. He notes the most difficult part will be to ensure they manage the money well and get the most bang for their buck.

"I believe the community will be behind us one hundred per cent," says Warkentin. "These are things that needed to get done, we heard from the community, we've listened and so I think it will be a very positive response."

Warkentin says they will not use all these funds in the first year. He notes if 2020 is a year for capital projects, then 2021 will be a year for programming. Warkentin says they have several ideas for how to grow their programming by using their recreation centre for things such as a martial arts program, babysitting courses or firearms certificates.

Warkentin says with the troubles of the former KRA now in the past, it seems as though they are turning over a new leaf in the community. This is the sense he gets from residents and also the business community. And he says annual events such as the Kleefeld Honey Festival, Touch A Truck and their Christmas In The Park are generating a lot of interest. In fact, he says at least six new people have come forward offering to sit on the Honey Festival committee.

"We've noticed a definite interest in the community and we're excited for that," he says.

Further to that, Warkentin says he appreciates the committee's ideas and passions and the desire to reach out and connect with the community.

(Playground design going up in Kleefeld)

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