New horizons for Dakota C.C.

A “generational” transformation at one of southeast Winnipeg’s largest recreational hub began on Dec. 15, when stakeholders announced that the federal government has allocated $7.5 million to support the first phase of a long list of additions and upgrades to St. Vital’s Dakota Community Centre.

Opened in 1987, the centre — which is home to the 95,000 square-foot Jonathan Toews Sportsplex — also boasts two skating rinks and a multi-use fieldhouse, among other resources for sports and recreation. It’s made a name for itself in the area — bringing in residents from River Park South, Sage Creek, Windsor Park, and surrounding communities — as an accessible, centralized hub, and it now sits on the starting line of an exciting transformation valued at $50 million, to be completed over the next several years.

The first phase will mark the beginning of design and project planning, including the development of a capital campaign, in the careful lead-up to site preparation, according to Michele Augert, president and CEO of Dakota C.C.

Upgrades will include a new, fully-accessible arena, which would include a rink, a modern fitness area, new dressing rooms, a fitness area and ice plant, as well as upgrades to the lobby, additional community rooms, and an expanded space for child care.

Men’s shed movement keeps growing

There’s nothing like getting together with some like-minded people to hang out and work on a project.

Starting Jan. 14, Transcona will welcome a new men’s shed group to the Park City from 1 to 3 p.m. every Thursday afternoon. The group is founded by Fred Bobrowski, who started the Park City Men’s Shed — which meets twice weekly at 180 Poplar Ave. in Elmwood — in 2018.

“The whole idea, when I started Park City Mens’ Shed, was to get one going in Transcona,” said Bobrowski, a Park City resident. “But a lot of guys … wanted a wood shop, and 180 Poplar Ave. had one, so I focused on that. But it was always in the back of my mind to get a shed going in Transcona.”

Bobrowski even had a Transcona group meeting at Oxford Heights Community Club (359 Dowling Ave. E), before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. However, for the next few years, he and the other Park City members had enough work keeping their own group going.

Blazing the river trail, one metre at a time

Now in its second year of operation, the Trail Together campaign at The Forks is calling on the community to give back to a memorable part of the Winnipeg winter season.

The Nestaweya River Trail is considered one of the city’s most beloved winter attractions. In a good year, it can be up to six kilometres long, connecting neighbourhoods across the Red and Assiniboine rivers. It offers two routes to choose from — the long skating rink that’s always talked about, and a parallel trail for walking, running and biking along the frozen ice.

The Forks is the major hub for trail-users, but the Nestaweya River Trail can also be accessed from many riverside neighbourhoods near the city’s core.

The Trail Together campaign asks those interested to pay $50 to essentially ‘adopt’ a metre of the trail, either in their own names or in honour of someone else. Names are displayed online in a list format, as though you’re counting the metres one-by-one. Those so inclined can adopt more than one metre or a purchase a larger sponsorship.

Home for the holidays

Five new families received the keys to their new homes at a Habitat for Humanity key ceremony in Transcona on Dec. 15.

“We are thrilled these five families get to gather in their new homes just in time for the holidays thanks to the incredible generosity of sponsors, donors and volunteers in our community,” Habitat for Humanity Manitoba CEO Jamie Hall said in a statement. “The memories they create in their new home this season will be remembered for years to come, and this investment will have a lasting and positive impact on the families and the broader community of Transcona.”

The five new families join 30 already living in the new Pandora Avenue West development. When complete in 2026, the development will be home to 55 famillies.

Capturing the moment

Jackson Toone loves combining his biggest passions as he continues to carve up his skateboarding journey.

The Old St. Vital resident and skateboarding aficionado recently launched Clearcut Magazine, a rebrand of his former magazine, DWT.

The previous incarnation of the magazine was born when Toone was in Grade 11 at Nelson McIntyre Collegiate and studying the project-based learning program Propel.

The 21-year-old said his new, self-published creation, which was launched in November, marks a shift — from the photos to the ads to the branding — giving the new magazine more structure and a more professional look. He also does the design and layout.

Season’s greetings

The holiday season is now upon us, a wondrous time of celebration, goodwill to our fellow citizens and thoughtful reflections on the year gone by.

With neighbourhoods and businesses aglow with colourful decorations, our province’s renowned community spirit is bright, beautiful and further enhanced at this time of year. Manitoba’s multiculturalism is also on full display at this time of year, with holiday traditions from around the world joyfully reflected in cuisine, decorations, and seasonal events in all parts of our province.

Our renowned community spirit is further demonstrated through a variety of creative events and charitable endeavours, each helping to ensure that everyone feels the warmth of our welcoming and caring provincial community. I encourage everyone to support the many wonderful organizations dedicated to providing a hand up to Manitobans in need with the same empathy and generosity that has consistently made our province one of the most giving places in Canada.

As the King’s representative in Manitoba, I am pleased to extend vice-regal greetings to all citizens for a safe and happy holiday season. May the wonders of this special time inspire us all to demonstrate kindness and compassion to all, not only seasonally, but all year-round. Every good deed is another subtle reminder of how fortunate we are to call this great province ‘home.’

Time for skating in Elmwood

Winter sports such as skating have so far been disappointing for many Winnipeggers this year, with the long, relatively warm and snowless months of fall. The rivers are taking a long time to freeze, and many outdoor skating rinks remain closed. As colder weather and snow have now arrived, people in Elmwood and around the city might soon enjoy gliding and twirling around on neighbourhood rinks.

For skating enthusiasts with the time and space, creating a home ice rink is a possibility, giving them the chance to enjoy the ice any time they wish. Most people, however, need to depend on the public skating rinks maintained by local government or community groups. While these rinks might be crowded at times, they’re likely well-maintained and large enough to provide users with the opportunity for active skating.

The winter skating page of the City of Winnipeg’s website lists many skating rinks “located in parks, school sites and at community centres”; in addition, “Many small neighbourhood rinks are also maintained for public use.”

In Elmwood, official skating rinks include outdoor facilities at the Abdo and Samira El Tassi Park (100 Elmwood Rd., near Talbot Avenue), Elmwood Park (380 Henderson Hwy.), and the rink at the East Elmwood Community Centre (490 Keenleyside Ave.) The Glenelm Neighbourhood Association also lists the two rinks at the Clara Hughes Recreation Park (281 Henderson Hwy.).

Are we becoming Hollywood North?

Winnipeg has been a hot destination for filming movies as of late. I don’t mean weather-related hot, I mean the desirable kind of hot — but film production companies also come for the cold, as our climate is definitely suitable for winter or barren tundra-type shots, as we are all aware.

Whether it’s the allure of the tax breaks, the unique historical pockets of the city, the great choices of restaurants or the super-friendly people, Winnipeg has become a successful film location

Did you know that the City of Winnipeg has a film and special events team, managed by Kenny Boyce, who makes sure those coming to Winnipeg to scout movies are treated with the best welcome possible? Check out the April 2, 2025 episode of the City of Winnipeg’s podcast Our City, Our Podcast for stories about locally shot film productions and special events. In 2024 alone there were at least six films shot in and around Winnipeg, which has provided all kinds of employment for our local population, from catering to construction, acting extras to the hospitality industry. Big-name stars are actually coming to Winnipeg, and some are really enjoying it. People such as Jon Hamm and Bob Ode kirk are checking out our attractions and posting their adventures online for all to see. We tend to stand back when we see a star here, respect their space and admire from afar. I think they may like the fact they aren’t getting mobbed by crowds everywhere they go. They can walk around like a normal person and enjoy life.

Some areas of Winnipeg are more unique than others for movie shoots, such as the east end of Transcona. We were a town in 1912, a city in 1961 and then joined the City of Winnipeg in the forced merger of 1971. Our main street was the quintessential old town hub of the community, where people went to socialize and shop for essentials. Much of the original character of the main street remains and is thus a draw for all types of movie shoots. I remember when Beethoven’s Christmas Adventure was shot here in 2011 and the street was done up everything Christmas. That movie will never leave my mind as it was the movie my nieces wanted to watch 60 times.

The night before Christmas – 2025 version

’Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the world;

Not a creature was stirring, except viewers around TVs curled,

Wars still raged the world over;

The people helter skelter ran for cover,

Voyageurs undefeated at holiday break

The Voyageurs are off to a perfect start.

In the Winnipeg High School Hockey League’s Winnipeg Free Press Division, Collège Louis-Riel was undefeated going into the winter break, earning all possible 42 points over 14 games.

“We’re new in the (WFP Division) this year, so still getting an understanding of (how) the upper competition compares to where we were last year,” CLR coach Justin Buissé-Laroche said. “As teams are adjusting to us, we’re trying to tighten up the penalty kill and run new ideas through the guys so we don’t get outplayed or outcoached.”

Led by a core of Grade 12 players, including captain Davinault Lafrenière, Buissé-Laroche feels his team this year is well-rounded, on and off the ice.

City news in brief — week of Dec. 24, 2025

The Forks to host free New Year’s Day programs

On Jan. 1, 2026, the Forks will be offering a full day of free, family friendly activities to kick off its Learn to Winter program.

“New Year’s Day at The Forks is about coming together and celebrating winter as a community,” said Sara Stasiuk, president andCEOof The Forks, in a statement. “It reflects how people already use the site in winter, whether they are skating, walking, spending time outdoors or grabbing a warm drink in the market. The day brings those everyday activities into focus and sets the tone for the season ahead.”

Beginning at 9 a.m. and running through 8 p.m., activities will include face painting, storytelling, live music, karaoke, drag performances, yoga, fitness classes, skating lessons, and more outdoor fun.

Meet the monarch whisperer

A multi-talented resident at Dakota House, Helen Hogue, was once featured in several nature magazines for her former prize-winning gardens in St. James. Finding out she still grooms monarchs right in her present suite intrigued me.

No, she’s not raising royalty – these are monarch butterflies.

I’ve known since grade school there are four stages in a butterfly’s life – egg, larva, pupa or chrysalis, and adult. In plain language, the larvae are worms.

Calling them caterpillars, Helen’s way, did not help me. How could anyone tolerate having worms crawling around free-range in one’s own dwelling!? When she mentioned she’d raised a total of 1,621 butterflies in her St. James sunroom, I shuddered.

Hockey hall honours vets’ class of 2025

On Dec. 17, the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame held its second veterans luncheon – an event devoted exclusively to individuals and teams that excelled in the sport at least 50 years ago. Four players, one builder, and one team were inducted into the HOF at a ceremony held in the Hockey for All Centre, where there is a gallery of previous inductees.

In 1985, the hall of fame’s inaugural class consisted of 70 players, 11 builders and 32 championship teams. Since then, and usually on a biennial basis, the hall has continued to induct worthy candidates. In the early years, research on inductees relied on word-of-mouth, oral histories, and laborious searches of newspaper archives. The internet changed that process, and it became apparent that many deserving candidates had been overlooked.

In 2015, a veterans research committee was established and since then a veteran or two has been recognized at the induction dinner. In 2023, when the HOF hosted its first luncheon dedicated solely to inductees put forth by the veterans committee, headed by board member John Jameson, players Paul Meger, Sonny Rost and Charles Tobin, and builder George Tackaberry were honoured. The 1956-57 Western Hockey League champion Brandon Regals and the 1959-60 to 1963-64 Brandon Wheat Kings juniors were added to the Wall of Champions.

The 2025 class of veterans is made up of players Harry Bueckert, Helge Bostrom, Ron Matthews, and Al Millar, builder J.D. Pratt, and the Winnipeg Olympics women’s team.