Winnipeg, MB - To provide families with up-to-date recreation facilities Advanced Education and Literacy Minister Erin Selby, Mayor Sam Katz, and Councillor Devi Sharma, along with the Garden City Community Centre Board, today announced exciting plans to create the Seven Oaks Arena, a 100,000 square foot multi-plex, located beside the Centre’s existing soccer/community centre complex.
“New community centres and sports facilities mean more opportunities for families to exercise and get active in their community. It’s a priority for families and that’s why we’re working to increase the options available to families in Garden City,” said Minister Selby. “This new arena will be a place for fun and serve as a focal point in the community.”
“A partnership like this one, between two levels of government and a dedicated, passionate citizen group like the Garden City Community Centre Board, is an excellent solution to our City’s need for modern, well-run recreation facilities,” said Mayor Katz. “Improving recreation facilities in Winnipeg is long overdue and I am pleased to see projects like this moving forward.”
The City’s Executive Policy Committee is being asked to consider a report recommending that the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba enter into a partnership with the Garden City Community Centre Board to fund the project. The $17 million multi-plex would be funded 1/3 each by the City, Province and Garden City Community Centre. While the City will retain ownership of the facility, the management and operations will be undertaken by the Garden City Community Centre Board.
“I’m thrilled this proposal is moving forward in Garden City,” said Councillor Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan). “The Garden City Community Centre Board has invested so much time and energy into ensuring that this brand new multi-plex, known as the Seven Oaks Arena Project, will draw families to what will become a true recreation hub, with a community centre, soccer complex, twin arena, fitness centre, and an additional 3,000 square feet of programming space, all incorporated under one roof at the Garden City Community Centre.”
“The Garden City Community Centre Board and the Seven Oaks Arena Project Committee are excited to be able to share our vision for a twin indoor arena at the Garden City Community Centre,” said Andy Haworth, President of the Garden City Community Centre. “The addition of the two indoor rinks and programming space will benefit not only the Garden City community, but also the entire Seven Oaks area.
The new 100,000 square foot facility will feature:
- a twin rink arena and multi-use space
- fitness and retail space
- 3,000 square feet of new programming space on second floor
The plan is to begin construction this spring/summer with project completion in the Fall of 2014.
The majority of facilities in Winnipeg are over 40 years old and no longer meet the needs of community residents. The City is working to implement an arena strategy aimed at improving and modernizing recreation facilities throughout Winnipeg.
In accordance with the City of Winnipeg’s Recreation, Leisure and Libraries Facility Policy, it is being recommended that the city declare the Vimy Arena and Old Exhibition Arena surplus, and that a strategy be developed to determine future use. The Vimy and Old Exhibition arenas will remain fully operational during the 2013-14 hockey season.
An administrative report on this topic will be considered by the City’s Executive Policy Committee on Friday, February 22, 2013.