WINNIPEG, MB - The East Elmwood Community Centre will receive a $5 million investment to rebuild and redevelop its facilities, Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux and Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz announced today.
“The new East Elmwood Community Centre will benefit families by providing a safe place for people of all ages to gather and stay active,” said Lemieux. “Through ongoing consultations with residents we are ensuring the new centre will fit the needs of the community.”
In March 2011, a fire at the centre completely destroyed the building and created an urgent need to plan, consult with the community and identify potential funding for the redevelopment of the facility.
“The East Elmwood Community Centre has long been a gathering place and its absence has definitely been felt by youth and families,” said Mayor Katz. “The redevelopment of the centre will bring much needed programs and recreation to the neighbourhood.”
The funding for this redevelopment project will see $3.2 million from the Recreation and Leisure Infrastructure Program, which is jointly supported by the city and provincial governments, plus $900,000 from the City’s insurance reserve fund and $900,000 in incremental dollars from the province.
“Recreational facilities are what pull communities together and link neighbourhoods,” said Concordia MLA Matt Wiebe. “This new centre will provide children and families with a safe place to engage in good, old fashioned fun all year round.”
“The new facility will be much larger and will reflect the needs of this vibrant community,” said area Councillor Thomas Steen (Elmwood - East Kildonan). “I look forward to attending hockey games at the new rink and seeing the community centre brought back to life.”
The new community centre will be approximately 10,000 square feet - significantly larger than the original centre. Proposed amenities include a regulation size gymnasium, multi-purpose rooms, dressing rooms, outdoor rink and associated site development.
Consultations on the redevelopment began in fall 2011 and included more than 40 stakeholders and residents. Stakeholders will continue to be engaged throughout the design process.
Keenleyside Park is the new location for the community centre. Detailed designs plans are expected in 2013, with construction to tentatively begin in 2014.