As residents of Winnipeg and Manitoba, we often pride ourselves on the beauty of our parks, the vibrancy of our community centres, and the rich infrastructure that supports our daily lives. However, beneath this veneer lies a troubling reality: our government’s tendency to focus on reactive, short-term solutions rather than implementing comprehensive preventative maintenance. This approach, characterized by band-aid fixes and virtue signalling, leaves our infrastructure in a state of gradual decay and ultimately costs us more in the long run.
The case for preventative maintenance is not just strong — it is irrefutable. Consider our roads, the arteries of our city and province. Year after year, we witness the same cycle: potholes form, temporary fixes are applied, and the cycle repeats.
What if, instead, we adopted a proactive approach? Regular inspections, timely repairs, and consistent upkeep could extend our roads’ life, reduce major overhauls’ frequency, and save taxpayers’ money. This principle applies across the board to our pools, community centres, parks, and more. Our public pools, for instance, are more than just recreational facilities — they are community hubs that promote health and well-being.
Yet, they often fall victim to neglect, deferring maintenance until problems become unavoidable. The result? Costly repairs, prolonged closures, and a loss of public trust. If we prioritized regular maintenance, we could ensure these valuable resources remain sa.