Nestled near the riverbank on the corner of Highways 311 and 200 sits an old red hip-roof barn waiting for its second life as a wedding and event centre. Nearby and across a little hand-crafted bridge sits its companion, Marigold Cottage. For years, many commuters have watched with curiosity, wondering about the purpose of the red barn on the hill. For many of us, our curiosity peaked when the old house moved in next door and slowly began its transformation into a lovely, yellow-sided cottage.

If you live in or around Niverville, you probably already know that a Tim Hortons and Shell gas bar are coming to the west side of town, at the corner of Highway 311 and Krahn Road in front of the golf course. The establishment is scheduled to open at the end of December, with the grand opening celebration taking place in the new year.

With the 2017 planning session weekend behind them, Niverville council and senior town staff members are preparing to forge ahead with a number of new and ongoing initiatives for 2017. Much consideration was given to long-term planning as well, looking at the community’s needs over the next ten years. 

While excitement about Niverville’s second gas station and accompanying coffee options has reached a fever pitch this holiday season, another nearby town is about to have one more choice when it comes time to fill ‘er up.

Niverville’s innovative new primary care access centre was the focus of the tenth annual Heritage Centre fundraising gala held on November 5. The Heritage Centre banquet hall staff rose to the occasion, providing champagne and prime rib in a glamorous Phantom of the Opera-themed setting for 250 attendees. The event proceeds, totalling $45,000, will help to fund improvements to the new centre, expected to open in the spring of 2017.

Starting in the new year, The Citizen is changing its release schedule.

On May 5, the Friends of the Plex will be putting on a community auction gala, a fun-filled evening consisting of a meal and an auction of items donated by the community.

The key to small-town business success can typically be summed up in a few words: understanding your customers’ needs and delivering beyond their expectations. Ferd Klassen of Niverville Autobody has built his business around that motto.

The Niverville Fire and Emergency Services Department held their annual perogy dinner fundraiser on November 11 at the Golden Friendship Centre. This year, it is estimated that about 400 people attended from the community, collectively raising $5,000 for the department. In the last few years, the perogy dinner has become a popular event.

BSI Insurance has made a donation of $2,500 to Opa’s Park in Niverville. The leaders behind the park’s restoration, Beth Downey and Alexa Sawatzky, have plenty of plans for how to use the new funds.