Discussions

In another thread, they are posting thoughts on building a third river crossing bridge, but I have always had a idea I had for an area they are talking about... So I thought I would toss these ideas out to talk about, because I will probably never have another chance....  
 
Hopefully, through discussion or passing them on, some people will see the value or interest in them, sorry, I can't undertake them all, but maybe with enough interest...they will come to be...  
 
1.) With the rebuilding of the Third Street Dam, I thought it would have been a great chance to make a lake!  
 
Let's trench out the flats (the big bend which is First street, around to the walking bridge) put all the earth in the middle and make an island, and flood ourselves a lake. Let's propose, Lake Burgess (LOL), just to get the parties interested.  
 
In the summer, canoes, skiing, paddle boats, and a general welcome to the City. In the winter, skating, outdoor hockey, ski-doo ovals, speed skating oval....lots of activities at the lake right, so why not right here in the middle of the City!  
 
2.)During the promotional object on the Trans-Canada thread, I suggested two things...  
 
not a bird or giant bug, but an actual steam locomotive rising up across a giant sheath of wheat... our heritage as the Wheat City and our start as a railroad town.  
 
3.) By the promotion object, a giant grain elevator, that travelers could climb up inside, seeing our City and grain farming history as they rose to the top, at the top, an observation deck, to see the fields around us, and the City in the valley.  
 
A working mill, turning out flour, for the home made bread for the eatery...serving fresh sandwiches on home baked bread and soup made from local produce/meat  
 
A big Red Barn with displays.... a Farmers Market  
 
and behind, like a giant maze, growing fields of all the types and varieties of crops grown.... for the Big City travelers and kids to see what they look like and touch etc....  
 
4.) as well, as part of the promotion of the steam locomotive.... restored steam locomotives, railway equipment, cabooses etc....around the City, instead of murals or Polar Bears.... at City Hall, parks, Keystone entrance, businesses, malls etc... maybe even a restaurant in an old dining car (awesome one in Saskatoon)  
 
5.) more of our heritage and promoting Brandon...we would host a World of Steam North American Event. years in the planning and organizing, for a week or two, working steam locomotives would come to Brandon, and steam past bleachers set up on the North side of the CP tracks (where the Christmas light train pulls in) displays, rides to Virden, Kemnay, a parade down the Mainline....pictures in front of our restored CP station, or Virden's or Rivers...period dress, period food.... a world class event, a once in a lifetime experience...the interest in steam is worldwide...  
 
6.)oh did I say grain..... they have the Rose Bowl parade...we could have the Harvest Parade. Floats decorated/made using grain seeds, straws, flowers, pumpkins, gourds, pussy willows etc.... held downtown, which is totally involved in the theme on Thanksgiving Weekend Sat...a destination and TV coverage event!  
 
7.) downtown...hmmm Years ago there was a funny plan to cover Rosser Avenue...grand yes, but how might it have worked to save downtown, IN THE LONG TERM!  
 
With grain elevator designed staircases at each end corner from 6th to 10th Rosser, a covered street, with a sceond story balcony boardwalk to open the second floors of all the buildings (thus doubling the available space) Downtown could become the New Orleans of the North...but an international flavor....the folkerama of dining.  
 
Dining and bars from all the cultures of the World...a true destination for City folk and travelers alike.  
 
A chain hotel to anchor, with a water park and WAVE pool....every sport team and group or family will stay downtown to enjoy that and the rest of downtown....  
 
8.) keeping with our international City, which we have become, we had visited a park in Thunder Bay years ago, the International Park, where all of the local Associations maintained flower beds or themes within this beautiful park. Chinese, British, Japanese, Scottish...Ukraine..each local Association held developed an area of the park to represent their culture...  
 
With Mckenzie Seeds , one of the largest seed companies...where else to host an International Garden, and allow each of the local Associations to represent themselves, involve themselves in this park.... the guest book at Thunder Bay showed people from all over the World....a true destination, and draw, if not a stepping stone from the Trans-Canada to the International Peace Gardens...tour buses etc... The Peace Gardens gets 100,000 plus visitors a year...  
 
9.) and sorry, just my contribution to the Keystone debate...  
 
a minor grand stand, in the South End, maybe facing North, the backside facing Richmond, could have a strip mall in the lower level, with a single row of parking for the shops, separated from Richmond by a wide sidewalk....  
 
at the end of the grand stand, a canteen and the other a beer garden.... (MORE LATER)  
 
in the front area, summer/fall- we have a convertable soccer/football/rugby field, horse show, tractor pull, well you get the idea.... winter - ski-doo racing, speedskating, snow shoe racing..whatever  
 
BUT owned and ran by the new non-profit Citizen's for the Keystone Association. And YES, Canad Inns will have to be a little understanding (respectful to this Community) and release the food and drink concessions...SERIOUSLY!!! (Our future support of the Keystone through tax dollars must hinge on our PATRONAGE of its use and by extension, our patronage of the Canad Inn, too...IMHO)  
 
And if that takes connecting the tax dollars to the Keystone, by the outright buying of the land for $2-3 millions, and the Governments removing that land from the Keystone and its contractual obligations of its use...then so be it! and in kind, giving it to a new organization of concerned citizens/taxpayers!  
 
(Sorry, my little rant of this post!!! Just such a sore spot with me...we gave too much away to get so little in return IMHO)  
 
 
Ok, maybe these are just a big dream...  
 
but some ideas to plan and think about...to make Brandon something for everyone, a destination and a very exciting and beautiful/bountiful place to live....  
 
Trash them Bash them, pass them on, take them on, or dream along with me... I just wanted to put them out there....