WINNIPEG, MB - A construction project is about to begin that will give Elmwood area residents new recreational facilities through the Manitoba/Winnipeg Building Communities Initiatives II partnership, Local Government Minister Ron Lemieux and Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz announced at the Bronx Park Community Centre (Kelvin site) redevelopment site today.
"The Bronx Park Community Centre is an important part of this community and with input and advice from local residents, we're moving forward with improvements that will ensure families can take even better advantage of this centre," said Lemieux. "Building and improving our community infrastructure makes a difference in the lives of local families and helps enhance the whole city."
"The upgrading and enhancement of this recreational facility is another example of governments working together to provide families with another safe, fun, recreational option in support of active, healthy lifestyles," said Katz.
Planning for the project involved a series of five community meetings, workshops and open houses to define community priorities, needs and project scope. The scope includes redevelopment of the former Kelvin Community Centre site to provide a new entry plaza, skateboard amenity, accessible playground, basketball and hockey skills area, skating rink, toboggan slide, site furnishings and landscaping.
The redevelopment project is receiving a $600,000 contribution from Building Communities Initiative II, cost-shared equally by the Manitoba government and the City of Winnipeg. The city is allocating a further $100,000 to the project.
Construction on the redevelopment will start soon with the majority of work scheduled for completion in spring 2013. 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. Work will begin in spring 2013 with completion in fall 2013.
Since 2010, the Building Communities Initiative II has committed $10 million to 38 approved neighbourhood infrastructure projects throughout Winnipeg and work on many of the projects has been completed.
The Building Communities Initiative is a multi-year, cost-shared capital initiative developed jointly by the Manitoba government and the City of Winnipeg. The goal of the funding initiative is to support community revitalization through improvements to local community infrastructure in targeted older neighbourhoods and contribute to the vitality, safety and health of communities throughout the city.