WINNIPEG – June 27, 2008 – Committed to the provision of recreation and leisure services in Winnipeg, Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Healthy Living for the Province of Manitoba and Winnipeg City Councillor Brenda Leipsic (River Heights –Fort Garry ward) officially opened the spray pad at River Heights Community Centre today located at 1370 Grosvenor Avenue.

"The Manitoba government is committed to promoting healthy, active lifestyles and improving the quality of lives for families, and today’s announcement builds on that commitment,” said Minister Irvin-Ross.  “Working with dedicated community volunteers, this water spray pad will provide better summer living for many Manitoba families.”

"The River Heights Community Centre has an exciting and positive event happening here for the River Heights – Fort Garry Ward; the City of Winnipeg has made recreational infrastructure, like this spray pad project, a priority in our community to make this exciting new spray pad a reality today,” said Deputy Mayor Brenda Leipsic. “This project provides a safe, healthy and fun outdoor play environment for our community’s youth.”

The new spray pads are approximately 2000 sq.ft. each. They are fully accessible, and provide a place where children of all ages and abilities can safely and freely play together. Colorful and interactive water features provide a visually exciting character to each pad, offering a varied water play experience for its users at each site. The larger spray park at Norquay provides the elements of the spray pad and combines a wading pool portion in its design.

Funding for the outdoor aquatic play areas was provided under the Manitoba-Winnipeg Recreation and Leisure Infrastructure Program.

The overall cost of the four spray pads at Provencher Park, Fort Rouge Park, River Heights and St. Norbert totals $1,040,000 with the Norquay Spray Park at $600,000.

For more information contact:
Carmen Barnett, Press Secretary
Mayor’s Office, 510 Main Street
PH: 311

WINNIPEG – June 27, 2008 – City of Winnipeg Offices: All civic offices are closed Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Water and Waste

Recycling and garbage will not be collected on the Canada Day holiday, Tuesday, July 1, 2008. Collection will resume on Wednesday, July 2, 2008 – Day 1 on the five-day cycle.

This affects only those homes on the 5 day collection calendar for garbage and recycling. Collection for all others (i.e., apartments) will continue as normally scheduled.

The Recycling/Garbage Collection Calendar is at the back of the MTS White Pages Phone Book and at winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste

Hours of operation for the Brady Road Landfill during the holiday weekend:

• Sunday, June 29, 2008 - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Monday, June 30, 2008 - 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, July 1, 2008 - 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

For information on Brady Road Landfill:

• Call 311, code 9814, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Visit winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste
• See the yellow pages at the back of your MTS White Pages Phone Book

Winnipeg Transit:

Canada Day Service - Tuesday, July 1, 2008, Winnipeg Transit will operate on a Sunday Schedule.

FREE Canada Day Shuttle:

The Canada Day Shuttle Service will operate free of charge linking Canada Day celebration sites including Downtown, The Forks and Osborne Village (see map).

Following the fireworks at The Forks buses will be available on Main Street between York and Wesley.

Extra Canada Day 11 Portage Service:

For convenient travel to/from The Forks and Assiniboine Park (see map). Service begins at Noon until 11:00 pm. Regular transit fares apply.

For more information, call Winnipeg Transit at 311 or visit www.winnipegtransit.com.

Libraries:

All Libraries are open for regular operating hours on Monday, June 30, 2008 and closed on Tuesday, July 1, 2008. For more information on branch hours, visit winnipeg.ca.

Assiniboine Park

Swimming Pools:

Leisure Centres:

All Leisure Centres are closed on Tuesday, July 1, 2008. Please visit the web site at winnipeg.ca for facility schedules.

Animal Services Agency:

The Animal Services Agency will be open regular hours on Monday, June 30, 2008 but closed on Tuesday, July 1, 2008.

Golf Courses:

All municipal courses are open from dawn to dusk over the long weekend. Call now to book your tee times.