Transcona's rec centre needs a political champion

I was interested to read Dan Lett's recent column (Southdale centre hits families with hike, Aug. 21) on the Southdale situation. Community clubs are challenged constantly to meet the needs of the community while trying to break even. The Southdale board understood there was a need (rink shortage) and moved to meet it while finding new sources of cash. Most community clubs struggle to attract enough volunteers to run basic programs, never mind offer new programs and services. Additionally, the City of Winnipeg grossly underfunds their operations and has unpaid, untrained volunteers running their facilities

I was part of a community centre board in Transcona that was also trying to fill a need in the community and generate much-needed new revenue for a club that was, like most, struggling to break even most years. In 2004, we followed the city's recommendation to develop a multiplex that would serve people of all ages and find new operating money. We wanted a new arena to replace the aging, money-losing Roland Michener, and to add a healthy-living facility. We conducted two community surveys -- one in 2007 and another in 2011. Both showed overwhelming public support of approximately 90 per cent in favour.

The project's price was about $8 million and would be funded with help from three levels of government and a loan guarantee from the city, much the same as other projects that have gone ahead.

In 2009, community club presidents in Transcona and River East gave support for a joint Transcona multiplex project through Plan 2025. The Plan 2025 report was created by community club presidents who, under the guidance of a city-hired consultant, came up with a list of projects they deemed necessary in their communities.

The General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres (GCWCC) then recommended the Transcona multiplex as a top-five priority for the entire city. At present, it is the only project in the top five that has not gone ahead.

In July 2010 the city's executive policy committee approved GCWCC's business plan, which included the Plan 2025 recommendations.

At about that time, our councillor, Russ Wyatt, began looking at a separate project in the area which included a YMCA, multi-family housing, moving a baseball field to another location and keeping Roland Michener. This project has not proceeded.

Interestingly, a survey conducted for Wyatt's project supported many aspects of the community club's proposal, including that a "wellness concept" should be pursued and that indoor fitness facilities (gym, walking/running track) were needed. The results also showed strong support to convert or repurpose Roland Michener into a year-round indoor soccer/lacrosse facility, which was part of our proposal under Plan 2025.

One would think the city would be ecstatic that a community centre would develop a plan to provide new programs and services and move toward financial sustainability -- all while helping the city to replace an outdated, money-losing arena. However, despite following all of the city's and GCWCC's guidelines, presenting a strong financial plan approved by a national accounting firm and overwhelming public support, in the fall of 2011 the city issued an expression of interest request looking at twinned rinks only.

Based on our Plan 2025 prioritization, we asked for an exemption from this twinned-arena approach, and were flatly turned down. We submitted our multiplex proposal (that, keep in mind, was already approved) and the multiplex for Transcona wasn't just rejected, the community services department didn't even consider it. While Winnipeg desperately needs new facilities, and community clubs need to find ways to offer new programs and services that drive new revenue streams, community services is narrowly focused on a cookie-cutter, twinned-arena concept only.

Why is the city pushing models with two indoor rinks? Good question. I do know the city wants to get out of the business of running arenas. Their rinks are old, require lots of maintenance and are badly in need of upgrades. If a private group or community centre builds a twin- or fourplex, then maybe the city can shut down or repurpose their rinks.

Community centres have been a neglected city asset for years. Our dream to update the concept of a community centre -- a concept relevant across the city -- has been hampered by politics and a narrow vision from a city department that should be working with community centres.

Southdale was fortunate to have political support. For Transcona residents to get a community centre multiplex built, we will need the same kind of political support.

Scott Donald is past vice-president of sports for Park City West, one of four Transcona community centres.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 23, 2012 A11