Winnipeg, MB - Elmwood area residents now have access to new recreational facilities at the Clara Hughes Recreation Park, Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux, Lawrence Toet, Member of Parliament for Elmwood-Transcona, and Elmwood Councillor Thomas Steen, on behalf of Mayor Sam Katz, announced today.
“The playground upgrades, addition of a new skateboard facility, site improvements and a new entry plaza have transformed this park into a location where an Olympic champion, athletes of all ages and anyone who enjoys outdoor activities can stay active or relax with family and friends,” said Lemieux. “This is an excellent example of the benefits of our partnership with the other levels of government that result in facilities this community and city will enjoy for decades to come.”
"Our Government is proud to support community projects like the Clara Hughes Recreation Park," said MP Toet. "With these improvements, the recreation facility will provide a safe and accessible park for years to come. Through investments such as this our Government is also helping to create jobs and economic growth.”
“The City of Winnipeg is committed to supporting sport, recreation and play,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “Clara Hughes Recreation Park is now a wonderful place for Elmwood families to come together and participate in a wide variety of activities, year-round.”
The project included the redevelopment of the site including new entry plaza, skateboard pod, accessible playground and hockey skills area, site furnishings and landscaping. The recreation park was named in honour of Clara Hughes in 2012.
The City of Winnipeg and the Government of Manitoba contributed $600,000 from Phase One of the Building Communities Initiative (BCI) II towards the redevelopment. The Harper Government contributed $58,500 through the Community Infrastructure Improvement Fund. The City is also allocating a further $100,000 to the project in order to support active, healthy lifestyles and a rejuvenated public space. Planning for the project involved a series of five community meetings, workshops and open houses to define community priorities, needs and project scope.
Renovations to the existing building for changing skates are also being planned by the General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres and Bronx Park Community Centre in partnership with City of Winnipeg staff. Construction is set to start in spring 2014.
The Clara Hughes Recreation Park Site Redevelopment Project is one of the approved neighbourhood infrastructure projects throughout Winnipeg announced as part of Phase One of BCI II that provided a total of $10 million between 2010 and 2013. Of the 38 approved projects under the first phase, 34 have been completed, with the remaining four to be completed over the next year. Projects included improving athletic fields, playgrounds and structures, splash pads, lighting, seating, pathways in parks, upgrades and the expansion of community centres.
The BCI II is a multi-year, cost-shared capital initiative developed jointly by the Manitoba government and the City of Winnipeg to support community revitalization through improvements to local infrastructure in targeted older neighbourhoods and contribute to the vitality, safety and health of communities throughout the city.