WINNIPEG – May 30, 2008 – Committed to the future of recreation and leisure services in the City of Winnipeg, Mayor Sam Katz and Andrew Swan, Manitoba Minister of Competitiveness, Training and Trade celebrated the official ground breaking of the Gymnasium and Renovation Project at Valour Community Centre, formerly Isaac Brock Community Centre, located at 715 Telfer Street North.

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“The City of Winnipeg is proud to play a leading role to ensure recreational facilities are a priority for all members of our community, “said Mayor Sam Katz. “When we embrace the opportunity to invest in our community centres, we ensure that we provide healthy opportunities and alternatives for our youth today and for the future generations of our City.”

We are pleased to support this exciting project that will increase access to recreational activities,” said Minister Swan. “The Province of Manitoba is committed to promoting programs and services that encourage active, healthy living for people of all ages and create safe places for our children.”

“The renovation and expansion of Valour Community Centre will allow us to meet the increased volume of needs as we now serve the highest number of residents among all community centres in Winnipeg,” said Bob Gingras, General Manager of Valour Community Centre and past president of Isaac Brock Community Centre.” Working under the umbrella of one Board and one General Manager at Valour Community Centre has proven to be very positive for the community that once struggled for funding and volunteers at three separate community centres.”

The Valour Community Centre expansion project will see the construction of a regulation-size gymnasium to accommodate basketball, volleyball and other gym-related activities. Renovations will continue throughout the main floor and carry on to the outside of the building and a new parking lot will be located on the north side of the property to accommodate 40 cars. Construction on the facility is now underway and is scheduled for completion in the spring of 2009.

Valour Community Centre is the result of the amalgamation of three West End community centres – Clifton, Orioles and Isaac Brock – who combined their boards to improve efficiencies in programming, staffing and finances.

The total cost of the gymnasium and renovation project is $1.9 million with funding of $1 million from the Manitoba-Winnipeg Recreation and Infrastructure Program, $630,000 from the Building Communities Initiative, and $350,000 from the City of Winnipeg Centre Land Dedication Fund and Community Incentive Grant programs.