Unlucky 13th summer season for Buhler Park

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This article was published 05/05/2020 (2303 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Thirteen has indeed been an unlucky number for Buhler Recreation Park.

The popular recreation facility on Winnipeg’s eastern border has seen its plans upended for what was shaping up to be a big 13th year in business, facility manager Steve Mymko said.

Last fall’s challenging weather was a harbinger of this spring’s struggles, Mymko said. There was field damage and the cancellation of normally lucrative fall softball tournaments.

“That had us behind the eight-ball coming into this year,” Mymko said.

Then came the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to the cancellation or postponement of most recreation activities. Mymko said he agrees with those decisions.

“There are so many unknowns, this is truly uncharted territory,” Mymko said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we’re not open at all this year.”

Mymko said Buhler Recreation Park is a revenue-driven business. With sponsorships and good weather it hopes to generate a small profit, which doesn’t happen every year.

While considered a City of Winnipeg facility, it does not receive operational grants from the City of Winnipeg. Mymko said has received calls from MP Daniel Blaikie and MLA Nello Altamare, but has heard nothing from anyone at the City of Winnipeg.

“It’s funny, it’s a city-owned park and we have a management agreement with the city, but no one has spoken to us or given us any direction,” Mymko said, adding he is hearing similar comments from his peers in the field.

“We don’t know where we’re headed here,” he added. “All we hear from the city is doom and gloom — there’s no leadership.”

While his revenue is gone, Mymko said Buhler Recreation Park still has $15,000-$20,000 in fixed monthly costs for utilities and lease payments. He thanked his board for saving up for a rainy day and Casera Credit Union for helping out.

But the struggle remains and more problems are ahead, Mymko said.

He normally hires 30 summer students but that appears unlikely, as some federal emergency subsidy programs still require employers to pay part of employees’ wages. Then there are the regular field maintenance and insurance costs that don’t go away. He also cannot send out sponsorship packages to companies laying off staff.

Even if the economy gradually re-opens, Mymko knows facilities such as Buhler Recreation Park will be the last to do so, and if they do open, many people will be hesitant to be around crowds

approaching 3,000 on a good weekend.
“We’re in a little bit of a quandary and at the end of the day we’ll be the last business they open,” Mymko said. “And we understand that. We don’t want any of our patrons here until we know they will be safe.”

Buhler Recreation Park is a non-profit, registered charity, Mymko said. It can issue income tax receipts for any donations of $25 or more. Any help people can give will be appreciated, he said. Call 204-777-2255 for more information.

Mymko said while he’s confident Buhler Recreation Park will survive, its future, and those of smaller, less successful entities, is far from certain.

“Am I worried? Yes, I’m worried about what’s going to happen here,” Mymko said.