Province will not close Pine Grove rest stop

The Pine Grove rest stop will not be closed after all, saysManitobaInfrastructure Minister RonSchuler.

Pine Grove, which is on the Trans-Canada Highway about 67 kilometres east of Winnipeg, is the only free public rest stop between Manitoba's capital and the Ontario border.

Last week the government announced they were reviewing whether to keep the rest stop open, saying its sewage lagoon was approaching the end of its life, and it would cost as much as $1.6 million to overhaul.

At the time, when asked about the decision, Schuler said, "I would point out, 20 kilometres either direction there are gas stations with food bars, where you can get out, stretch your legs."

But critics argued many businesses along the Trans-Canada only allow customers to use washrooms if they buy something.

'I'm ecstatic about it'

In an emailedstatement sent Thursday evening,Schulersaid"the previous government closed 10 rest stops, transferred two to municipalities, and put Pine Grove under review."

He added that Pine Grove "will remain open."

"I'm ecstatic about it," said Wayne Lovenuk, who has operated a food truck at the rest area for more than a decade.

"But at the same time,I am a little bit optimistic, I wish for this to never have to happen again."

When the review was announced, Lovenuk was one of several people who spoke out against the possible closure. He says the rest stop gives people a place to rest without having to buy anything, and is a safer option than a larger restaurant up the road that requires drivers heading the wrong directionto cross the highway.

"This is just another option to make life easier for people," he said.

Earlier this month, Lovenuk started an petition asking the government to save the rest stop.As of Thursday night, ithad 7,100 signaturesand growing.

"It's for the Manitoban people and the driving public, wherever they may be in this world. That's my thoughts on this," he said.

The Trans-Canada Highway is busy on summer weekends with Manitobans who go to cottages in Northwestern Ontario, and rest areas are much better than private businesses for sports teams and other large groups that travel together, Lovenuk added.