The Menisino Rest Stop located approximately 70 Kilometres southeast of Steinbach on Highway 12 has been both shut down and reopened in under a week.

Last Wednesday Melanie Parent, a Councilor in the RM of Piney, says she drove by the rest stop and noticed a closed sign was put up and the portable washrooms had been removed. She notes the Menisino Rest Stop is important to people passing through the area.

"If you are coming from Steinbach, the nearest rest stop will be at least 100 kilometres. During the summer when you drive by there is always people stopped there, bikers, tenting families."

This came a week after confusion began over the future of the Pine Grove Rest Area which is to remain open after all. Parent says she was surprised and disappointed.

On Thursday, the office of Manitoba Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler released a statement apologizing for the confusion and noting the closed sign was put up in error. The statement said the rest area would remain open and the bathrooms returned until the provincial government has a chance to consult with stakeholder in the affected area.

Parent says the closure was concerning but it is exciting to see the mistake fixed and the rest area reopened.

"I am just happy that all Manitobans and people visiting the area now have access to the rest stop. There was a lot of concerns that were brought up to me in regards to this rest stop so definitely happy to see it reopened."