Major upgrades for STCC

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This article was published 13/12/2017 (2939 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

There are some big changes coming for  the South Transcona Community Centre.

“We’re hoping to update it, to make it fully accessible,” said Louise Hedman, a vice-president and grants co-ordinator for the STCC (124 Borden St.).

South Transcona is home to approximately 650 people. Hedman, who is also community correspondent for The Herald, explained that the 2,500-square-foot community centre is used for everything from baby showers to socials.

“We have a lot of seniors in the area, and more and more young families moving to the area,” she said. Having the space accessible to all who wish to attend events is key, Hedman added.

Apart from a recent kitchen upgrade and asbestos removal, Hedman said the centre’s interior is otherwise the same as when it was built in the late 1960s.

“We currently have ’60s panelling that has been painted many times, washroom facilities that require constant repair, aged ceiling tiles and lighting and rubber mats that are secured with duct tape during the skating period,” Hedman said. “We felt it was time to (for) a complete modernization of the rest of the building with the most important aspect being the accessibility feature.”

The first phase of the renovations will see the old dressing rooms (two of which are currently used for storage) taken out and replaced with two fully accessible, gender-specific washrooms and one universal toilet room.

Funding for this phase, Hedman said, had been secured from the City of Winnipeg by way of a $25,000 accessibility grant, a $50,000 community incentive grant, and a $50,000 GCWCC renovation grant. The STCC has also contributed $15,000 to date.

Hedman said she expects construction to begin “once the ice is out” of their outdoor skating rink in March. She hopes the first phase is complete in time for their summer programming in June.

At that time, she hopes to have funding for the second phase in place. Phase 2 will see the old washrooms and the centre’s board room taken out, nearly doubling the hall space that can be used for programming or activities.

“There will be a small storage closet and the mechanical rooms will remain untouched,” Hedman said. 

Skate flooring will also be installed throughout the new area at that time to allow skaters free access to the space, with the exception of the kitchen.

Once all the upgrades are complete, Hedman added, the City of Winnipeg will build an access ramp at the front entrance.

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