More and more RTM builds are finding their way to cottage country after construction is complete.

Ready-to-move cottages growing in popularity

The past decade has seen more Manitobans choosing ready-to-move cottages

As warm weather engulfs the province many Manitobans are dreaming of summer days at the cottage. And, says one owner of a Manitoba ready-to-move (RTM) company, increasingly those thoughts are centred on cottages that are RTM products. “Over the past 10 years, cottages have become more popular,” says James Zacharias, owner of Emjay Homes in

Building more than one home at a time at the same location lowers overall waste for all the projects by enabling 
a full recycling system.

RTM building process lowers waste

Energy-efficient designs and in-factory recycling make RTM homes a green building option

An element of ready-to-move (RTM) construction that’s garnering more attention recently is the lower levels of waste generated by this type of build. Those close to the industry say that it’s increasingly becoming a larger selling point for the RTM homeowner. “With the RTMs being built at one location within the factories, it really reduces


Flooding at Portage diversion in Manitoba.

Rural infrastructure to get cash infusion

The numbers look impressive, but the breakdown between provincial and municipal spending 
needs to be examined when funding is announced

Municipal officials are welcoming the provincial government’s commitment to invest in infrastructure over the next five years. “On the municipal side we were pleased with the announcements that came. It’s nowhere near enough to cover the $11-billion deficit that we have in infrastructure, but this is a pretty good start,” said Doug Dobrowolski, president of

Still waiting: Repairs to the bridge between Coulter and Waskada should be completed by the summer of 2014. Residents have had to detour around it since the spring of 2011.

Prepare now for future climate havoc, IISD report urges

Coulter-Waskada bridge to be repaired by early spring, says province

Southwestern Manitoba residents know first hand about the lingering inconveniences and costly after-effects associated with weather-related disasters. More than two years after spring flooding wiped out the Souris River bridge between Coulter and Waskada, they’re still waiting on repairs to a key transportation link in their area. In the meantime, area residents as well as



The Massey 101 was one cool machine

The Massey 101 was one cool machine

Stylish and powerful, the redesigned tractor won the affections of farmers across the country

When it came to marrying style with functionality, James Duncan was the Steve Jobs of his day and his Massey Harris Model 101 Senior was — and is — as cool as anything to come out of Apple’s design lab. With its streamlined hood, bright-red paint with yellow wheels, chrome trim, and louvred side curtains


Young drivers need more instruction on country roads

Manitoba Women’s Institute says beginning drivers should be given hands-on practice on unpaved roads

Do young drivers get enough instruction on how to safely drive country roads? The Manitoba Women’s Institute doesn’t think so, and wants hands-on practice on unpaved surfaces to be part of drivers’ education. Beginning drivers should be required to spend a specified amount of time driving on gravel and other unpaved surfaces, said Justina Hop,

New association formed to regulate tile drainage installers

Post-2011 flood rush to install tile drains led to many costly
mistakes, says vice-president of the newly formed Manitoba 
Agricultural Water Management Association

A boom in tile drainage resulted in slipshod work and prompted the creation of an association dedicated to ensuring such work is done by reputable operators who know what they are doing. “The association along with Water Stewardship is working towards a fair way to ensure that tile installers are both properly trained and certified,”


Soil moisture looks good: Survey

Newly released results of Manitoba Agriculture’s fall soil moisture survey are good news for Manitoba farmers worried last year’s dry summer could turn into a drought. The soil moisture situation in many parts of Manitoba is normal, and even better than it was last spring, say Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives’ staff. “It’s not

What to do with a partial wall

Addressing an unusual situation can be a fun prospect when planning your decorating projects. A unique space may seem daunting at first but by its very nature, can open up many design possibilities. One such dilemma is how to decorate a partial wall. Partial walls are common in open-concept homes or can even be the