What’s up in Elmwood this winter?

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/11/2021 (1652 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Winter came suddenly to Winnipeg this year, with heavy snow after a long, warm fall. The weather has brought an abrupt end to many activities but could turn people’s attention elsewhere. In Elmwood, while winter has changed the character of outdoor activities, new and continuing opportunities can keep people occupied this season.

For many people, cycling is an activity that ends when either the temperatures drop, or ice and snow make it too difficult or dangerous for them. Cyclists in the Elmwood area have two special features to help them — the active transportation bridge between Midwinter Avenue and Point Douglas and the Northeast Pioneers Greenway along the former railway bed between Gateway and Raleigh.

Some people are braver than I am about winter cycling, but I can still walk, at least on packed snow. In summer, the paved trail is lined with trees, bushes, flowers, and prairie grasses. With many of these plants dead or dormant in the winter, the trail will look different for the next few months. 

Some activities, however, are ongoing. At the Elmwood Community Resource Centre, employment and language training are good choices for people who want useful activities for the winter.

For people aged 18 to 30, the Elmwood Youth Employment Experience can help participants gain the skills and information they need for finding work. This 17-week program helps train learners in skills such as resumé and cover letter writing, interview skills, and more. As the organization’s website notes, the program is for anyone who is “ready to learn new skills, work hard, and set goals.” Information is available at employmentoutreach@elmwoodcrc.ca or 204-982-1720, ext. 207.

Language training is important at any time, but the onset of winter gives an opportunity for learners to spend more time on practicing their skills. The Elmwood Community Resource Centre is “a non-profit organization that is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Elmwood.” Enhancing language skills is part of this process.

Ongoing programs like these have been part of life in Elmwood for some time, but a new development could help to change at least part of the neighbourhood. Hamilton House at 185 Henderson Highway, according to an October 2021 CTV article by Katherine Dow, is scheduled to become the home of Gags Unlimited, with AirBnB space on the upper floors. 

Winter in Elmwood should be full of new and interesting experiences with so much happening and changing.

Susan Huebert is a community correspondent for Elmwood. 

Susan Huebert
Elmwood community correspondent

Susan Huebert is a community correspondent for Elmwood

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