Big improvements coming to SWCC

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 04/10/2023 (920 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In what was exciting news for South Winnipeg Community Centre, the hard work invested by president Masroor Khan, executive director Paramjit Shahi, and the volunteer board means they have secured a total of $645,922 for the arena ice upgrades to the centre’s Richmond site.

The Province of Manitoba and Obby Khan, Minister of Sports, Culture and Heritage granted SWCC $322,961 in funding, while city councillor Markus Chambers (Seine River) and I are pleased to now match this funding to enable a total of $645,922 for the much-needed upgrades.

Last winter, the local hockey community came forward with many recommendations for improving the ‘Shiverstone’ ice arena on Silverstone Avenue. A detailed grant application was written, and the following upgrades will be occurring: ice plant upgrades; arena seating and rubber flooring upgrades; a new Zamboni; roof and door upgrades; and additional structural arena upgrades.

Even more funding was secured through the province’s Building Sustainable Communities program for upgrades to the entrance area and flooring. Construction has started at the Richmond site and is anticipated to continue into spring 2024.

SWCC also recently participated in a re-visioning exercise to understand how the both the Waverley and Richmond facilities could better serve the community. The facilities were built in the early 1970 and, while still sturdy and standing, require significant upgrades. City staff from the community services department and the SWCC executive toured other older community centres to see how they have been modernized, and the executive worked with the sports convenors and various city departments to develop conceptual plans for each site. Architects then took the concepts and created detailed plans to improve the sites.

You can see the detailed plans on the SWCC website (www.swcc1.ca or at www.janicelukes.ca ) There are plans for an indoor gymnasium, a spray pad, outdoor basketball and pickle ball courts, walking paths and more. We welcome any additional input you may have. The next steps will be to secure funding.

SWCC serves the rapidly diverse and growing southwest Winnipeg. Even though a new recreation campus is being built in Bison Run, there is still a strong need for the two sites in Waverley Heights and Fort Richmond to remain open and serve the community. I am very thankful to the SWCC executive and volunteer board for working hard to improve sports and recreation opportunities in the community.