Celebrating the spirit of volunteerism

River Park South

On Nov. 25, the Dakota Community Centre board of directors officially welcomed Laine Jubinville and Anthony Fischer to the table. These new directors step into their roles at a crucial time, as DCC continues to pursue its vision of being a welcoming, healthy, and vibrant community, with a mission to be a gathering place for everyone while fostering social connection and excellence in recreation and sport.

Dakota Community Centre relies on strong governance and oversight, and the experience, expertise, knowledge and new perspectives brought by Ms. Jubinville and Mr. Fischer will bolster its efforts to serve the community effectively.

In other community centre news, the spirit of volunteerism at Winnipeg community centres was recently celebrated. On Nov. 20, three DCC volunteers were honoured with the prestigious General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres Above and Beyond volunteer recognition award.

Fred Nicholson has been a part of DCC for 39 years as a coach, board member, and now part of the grounds crew, dedicated to ensuring a litter and garbage-free outdoors. In the four years Beatrice Patton has been volunteering, she has distinguished herself as a welcoming ambassador, gardener and now volunteer co-ordinator. Christian Kennedy has been on the board of directors for seven years and now serves as past chair. As a board member and then principled and collaborative chairperson, he has seen Dakota grow and flourish and been part of its many success stories.

These awards recognize the immense dedication of volunteers, who are key to the success of community centres across our city. The commitment shown by Fred, Beatrice, and Christian is an inspiring example of the impact local volunteers have on the fabric of our community.

From the boardroom to the hockey arenas, every program and event at DCC is supported by community members choosing to give back. This collective effort is not only delivering tangible services but also fostering strong social cohesion, building trust and a sense of shared responsibility that makes our community more resilient and engaged.

Warmest congratulations to Laine and Anthony on their appointments to the board of directors, and a hearty thank you once again to Fred, Beatrice, and Christian for their outstanding volunteer service.