WINNIPEG - March 5, 2010 - The City of Winnipeg Leisure Guide offers an exciting line-up of summer camps, featuring a number of new options to keep the kids busy this summer! Go back to the land of time when dinosaurs roamed the earth with Ya Ba Da Ba Days; test your skills, stamina and team-work by taking the Survivor Challenge; grab your cowboy hats and boots for Wacky Wild West Days; try your arm at Flag Football/Ultimate Frisbee and so much more!

The Spring/Summer Leisure Guide is now available at all civic arenas, pools, libraries and leisure centres, and will be available tomorrow at a number of retail locations. Winnipeg Free Press subscribers will receive a copy in their weekend edition of the paper on Saturday, March 6. The Leisure Guide can also be viewed online by visiting Winnipeg.ca.

Registration for programs begins at 9:00 am Monday, March 15, 2010.

To help 311 best serve all Winnipeggers who wish to register during a high volume call time, residents who do not have already have a PIN and login ID number for online registration are asked to set up an account prior to the first day of registration by calling 311 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or by visiting any civic pool or the Fort Rouge Leisure Centre (located at 625 Osborne Street).

For your convenience, the City offers a number of ways to register:

• Leisure Online: (visit winnipeg.ca/leisureonline) a login ID and PIN, and a credit card are required.
• Call 311: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• In-person: visit 395 Main Street or any civic pool (check in-person registration times at the facility of your choice)
• Drop-off: completed forms at any of the following locations:
  • Fort Rouge Leisure Centre - 625 Osborne Street
  • Main floor/395 Main Street
  • St. James Civic Centre - 2055 Ness Avenue
• Mail: Registration Office
  395 Main Street
  Winnipeg, MB. R3B 3N8

WINNIPEG - March 5, 2010 - Mayor Sam Katz, Secretary of Urban Aboriginal Affairs, and Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre (WASAC) Executive Director Kevin Chief today announced details of “ACHIEVE – WASAC Aboriginal Youth in Action”, a new program focused on increasing employment, mentor and leadership development and a community engagement opportunities for Aboriginal youth.

ACHIEVE, which will launch in April 2010, is designed to ensure barriers are removed and participants have the necessary tools (clothing, nutritional meals, supplies, equipment and professional recreation leaders) required for active participation in workshops and clinics to assist our community’s Aboriginal children, youth and families to reach their full potential. Key components of the program include:

• Community Engagement: youth participant focus groups, planning and
  organizing community events, accessing community centre programs and
  services
• Skill Development: First Aid/CPR workshops, coaching certifications,
  opportunity for hands-on learning at WASAC programs, orientation to City of
  Winnipeg Community Services
  
• Organized Sport Development: Winnipeg Minor Basketball League, Indoor
  Soccer, Winnipeg Minor Hockey, Multi-Sport Tournaments, Preparation for
  team Participation (House League Teams)
  
• Cultural: cultural teachings, dance/art , Aboriginal games and recreation
  certification

“As Secretary of Urban Aboriginal Affairs, I remain committed to partnering with dedicated community organizations like WASAC who work with the community to meet their specific needs and ensure young Aboriginal people have the tools and mentorship to reach their full potential and return their skills and experience knowledge back to other youth in our community,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “I want to thank Kevin Chief and all of WASAC’s youth leaders for their dedication and partnership over the last several months to launch ACHIEVE and for everything they do to create opportunity for our citizens.”

“WASAC is very excited and honored to continue to partner with the City of Winnipeg to provide opportunities for young people so they are able to participate in sporting activities, practical training, excursions and Aboriginal cultural events so that they may reach their full potential and become mentors within their communities,” said Kevin Chief, Executive Director of WASAC. “ This is the best kind of partnership, one where everybody wins. It is a win for the City of Winnipeg who remains committed to supporting urban Aboriginal children and youth. It is a win for WASAC as we will have the privilege of continuing to provide community development services and most importantly, this partnership is a win for all of the children, youth and families that will be touched by this generous contribution.”

ACHIEVE programs will be administered through WASAC in conjunction with numerous existing and on-going programs and initiatives.

WINNIPEG - March 5, 2010 - St. Boniface Library, 100-131 Provencher, will be closed on Monday, March 8 through Monday, March 15. The library will reopen on Tuesday, March 16 at 10:00 a.m. The temporary closure is needed for the installation of new carpeting and painting, and the installation of new furniture.

• St. Boniface Library's book chute will remain open during the closure for returning material.
• Holds will be available for pick up Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• All other services and collections will be unavailable during the renovation.