WINNIPEG - March 27, 2008 - Winnipeg, MB – A new multi-service wellness centre being constructed on the site of the former North YMCA-YWCA will provide recreation, leisure and community services to residents of the city’s North End.

Funding of $699,000 for the project, through the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement, was announced today by the Honourable Gary Doer, Premier of Manitoba; Steven Fletcher, Member of Parliament for Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification; and His Worship Sam Katz, Mayor of Winnipeg.

“The north end of Winnipeg will welcome a much needed social gathering place and recreational facility to serve its residents,” said Premier Doer. ”The Wellness Centre expands the standard concept of a recreational facility combining recreation, social, and health programming to respond to the diverse needs of this unique neighbourhood.”

"This community-driven initiative will serve as a source of pride for Winnipeg’s North End while showing the strength of these neighbourhoods and the efforts being made to revitalize this community," said MP Fletcher. "The Government of Canada is proud to partner with other orders of government as well as , community and Aboriginal organizations to support projects that respond to local priorities."

“Community infrastructure is a priority in Winnipeg and through strong partnerships with the community and the provincial and federal governments, we will continue our commitment to improve recreation and leisure facilities in our City,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “The North End Wellness Centre will provide healthy neighbourhood recreational and social programming and create opportunity for our diverse community to play, learn and come together.” 

The North End Wellness Centre will be a comprehensive wellness centre that will offer recreational facilities as well as social and health programs being delivered in partnership with the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, SPLASH Child Care and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. Planning for the facility included an extensive consultation with North End residents, collaboration between organization partners and input from the Aboriginal community to ensure cultural spirit is integrated into the programs and design of the new centre and that it will meet local needs.

“We are pleased and honoured to be able to celebrate the support of our funding partners and the community in realizing our dreams and visions for a healthy future,” said Diane Redsky, Acting Executive Director of the Ma Mawi Wi Chi Itata Centre, Inc. “We’re looking forward to continuing to work together as we deliver our programs at the new centre.” Construction of the foundation for new centre has begun.

The North End Wellness Centre previously received funding of $3 million under the Canada-Manitoba Infrastructure Program in 2004. This includes federal and provincial investments and a matching contribution by The North End Community Renewal Corporation, representing the community and partner organizations.

The province also made a $500,000 contribution to the project in addition to the previously announced capital funding for this new recreation infrastructure facility in the North End.

The funds announced today come from Component I – Aboriginal Participation, of the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement. This program recognizes and builds upon economic development and health and wellness opportunities for Winnipeg’s Aboriginal citizens. Since 2004, the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement has invested more than $12 million in Aboriginal Participation projects through funding under Component I of the Agreement.

The Winnipeg Partnership Agreement was signed in May 2004. It represents a five-year, $75 million commitment by the governments of Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg to strengthen our neighbourhoods, promote economic development and enable Aboriginal citizens to fully enjoy Winnipeg’s economic and social opportunities. For program details, interested parties are encouraged to consult the Web site www.winnipegpartnership.mb.ca.