Kitchen upgrades will elevate accessibility and inclusivity at ArtsForward

Continued from Page 1 adding wheelchair accessible countertop and an additional three compartment sink. tractors have been arranged so that a game plan can be developed and the necessary items ordered.

The scope of the renovation is fairly extensive, with the renovation being significant to ArtsForward’s mission as well. This is because the main drive for the renovation was to make the kitchen wheelchair accessible.

“So we’re moving things around, adding things and adding better ventilations as well,” said Sisley.

By Ken Waddell Neepawa Banner & Press

A long standing Neepawa grocery store, Freshmart, is under new ownership. The new owners are Manoj Zalavadiya and his wife, Alpa Rudani. The couple have operated food related businesses in Minnedosa and Brandon, where they currently reside. Manoj said in an interview with the Neepawa Banner & Press that they plan to buy a house as soon as possible in Neepawa. They have a son in Grade 8 and a daughter in Grade 4. Freshmart has operated under various names over many decades, including Williams Tomboy and ShopEasy and, for the last little while, as Freshmart. In an August 2022 article in the Neepawa Banner & Press, it was reported that “the owners and operators of the business formerly known as Shop-Easy, recently celebrated their 25th year at their location at 250 Hamilton Street.” At that time, now former owner, Blake Roe told the Banner & Press that he was proud to have hit this notable milestone. Neepawa’s Freshmart is known for customer service and the new owners say they plan to build on that reputation. They also plan to retain the current staff.

“This is huge. We’re trying to make all of our programming inclusive and accessible for everyone, so to be able to add another layer of inclusivity and accessibility is big for us,” Sisley enthused. “For some of the programming that we have, even some of our children’s programming, there’s some students that I know would love to join if they were able to access the counters and different things like that [while] being in a wheelchair.”

The plans for the kitchen include the addition of another cooking area, which means the availability of an additional stove; replacement of all countertops,