New horizons for Dakota C.C.

St. Vital

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.

“I’m feeling ecstatic,” Augert said, adding that the project is “the culmination” of work done on expanding the centre and its facilities in the three decades since its inception.

“It’s more than just a small community, we tend to be a regional hub,” she said. “The community needs this … there’s never enough ice, but we’re located in the middle of Canada. Ice sports are a fabric of our Canadian being … we’re going to be very proud of continuing to modernize (this space).”

Cory Shangreux, chair of the community centre’s board, echoed the sentiment. Although he describes himself as a “Dauphin import,” his kids grew up in River Park South, and the centre has been a big part of their family’s winters in the city.

“We see the demand that’s there,” he said.

Accessibility will be a key factor in the upgrades.

“Part of our mission is to be a place for all,” Augert said, using Dakota’s outdoor Jumpstart community rink, introduced in 2018, as an example. She said the centre recognizes that not everyone has the same level of ability, and that a community space must reflect that.

“The fieldhouse was built beyond City of Winnipeg accessibility standards,” she said. “Building for all and everyone … that’s very important for our planning and our design.”

In early January, the centre will introduce revamped viewing areas for those with different needs to easily watch games — just a taste of what’s to come.

“The definition of recreation is everything we do outside of work,” she said, noting that although Dakota prides itself on its place in the local elite sports scene – with “favourite son” and Winnipeg Jet Jonathan Toews living proof of that ideal – there is also ample room for people to have fun, whatever that means for them.

“Numerous individuals, they come because there’s a place for them … no matter what,” she said.

More information on the project— including a timeline — will be finalized in coming months. For updates, visit dakotacc.com