Saskatchewan-Manitoba

The Red River Exhibition Association (RREA) has a plan to save horse racing in Manitoba while creating a "multi-purpose entertainment destination centre" at the western edge of Winnipeg.

A community centre in one of the most affluent neighbourhoods in Winnipeg has a plan to replace one of the most run-down rinks in town. The Corydon Community Centre (CCC) has made a proposal to the city to buy the Charles A.

Brandon has the lowest apartment rental vacancy rate in the province, according to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC), and that is saying a lot. Across the province the average vacancy rate in urban centres is just 1.

Winnipeg Jets fans have already supported their team through sales of tickets and jerseys, and soon they'll be able to increase their financial contribution through slot machines, poker and blackjack.

Manitoba's unemployment rate is down to 5 per cent, matching a record low set last September, says Statistics Canada, while wages also increased in January. The average weekly wage in Manitoba was $873, up from $781 in December.

"Cows were grazing here three years ago," marvelled commercial agent Eugene Hritzuk of ICR Commercial Real Estate of Saskatoon as he watched Black Iron take shape.

Of course, free time is at a premium when you're busy running one of Manitoba's fastest-growing cities. The biggest project on the docket is a new active-living centre, which will feature a 96-suite seniors' apartment complex.

"We have great potential for both oil and gas," said Gary Vidal, an accountant and mayor of Meadow Lake. "Some say we could be the next Fort McMurray.

When Calgary-based Cenovus Energy Inc. snapped up junior Oilsands Quest for $10 million last year, it renewed rumours across northern Saskatchewan that Meadow Lake, pop 5,100, is on the cusp of becoming the next big western resource play.

Winnipeg is ranked among the top eight Canadian cities to watch for real estate investing in 2013, according to a global study by the U.S.-based Urban Land Institute (ULI).