Anything’s possible at Bourkevale
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This article was published 23/04/2019 (2329 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Bourkevale Community Centre runs on the philosophy of “by the neighbourhood and for the neighbourhood.”
“It’s similar to what a block party would be, but all year round,” board president Dan Reles said.
Bounded by the Assiniboine River, Bruce Avenue and Bruce Park, the centre has been operating at 100 Ferry Rd. since 1949 and has one of the smallest catchment areas in west Winnipeg.
“As a small club, we don’t have any full-time management,” Reles said, adding that the club does, however, hire a part-time cleaner.
“Everything else that’s done is done by the board and volunteers, including making and maintaining the ice.”
Reles comes from a small town and joined the Bourkevale board 20 years ago to replicate the sense of community he felt growing up. While its volunteer base ebbs and flows, Reles said the centre has always had a full 14-member executive as long as he’s been involved.
“When everybody’s pitching in you feel good about what you’re doing as a group and I would say that’s all of our motivations,” he said. “You may not be the most outstanding community centre in the city but we feel like we provide an excellent bang for the City’s dollar in serving our residents.”
The Bourkevale Bruins field soccer and hockey teams — the latter practise on the club’s recently installed outdoor ice rinks.
Week-to-week the centre has a variety of programming for young families and seniors, including children’s cooking and music classes; yoga, zumba and scrapbooking. According to Reles, Bourkevale doesn’t actively seek out new programming.
“It’s entirely dependent on residents and an instructor,” he said. “If somebody comes through with a proposal we will make opportunities for them.”
As an example of community-led programming, Reles points to horseback riding lessons that used to be offered in the field behind Bourkevale.
“Other clubs would say, no that wouldn’t work, but our attitude is anything is possible.”
St. James’ “well-organized seniors population” has also made good use of the centre, hosting weekly concert band rehearsals, pattern dancer groups and cooking classes.
Bourkevale also offers a slate of special events throughout the year like small dog meet and greets, jam nights, a winter carnival, Christmas party, fall hoedown, and Halloween party.