Christmas comes early for Dakota CC

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This article was published 09/12/2016 (3448 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Stakeholders in Dakota Community Centre now have a million more reasons to be cheerful about the future of the facility.

On Dec. 7, it was announced that local hockey hero Jonathan Toews, the captain of the Chicago Blackhawks, has donated $1 million towards the centre’s largest fundraising effort to date — the Dakota Futures Capital Campaign. Toews will also serve as the campaign’s honorary chair.

Officials say the donation from the Jonathan Toews Foundation is the largest ever private donation to a community centre in Manitoba.

The campaign will support the construction of a new 60,000-square foot fieldhouse, as well as future development on the centre’s campus. The new fieldhouse will include a 30,000-square foot gym that will accommodate multiple court sports and disciplines, such as basketball and volleyball, sport training and conditioning, and it will be the venue for other sport and recreational events at the local, national and international level. A three-lane walking/running track, sprint tracks and studio space for health and wellness programs will also be part of the new facility. The fieldhouse will be connected to the existing Jonathan Toews Sportsplex through an enclosed connection and is expected to be open in the fall of 2017.

In a news release, Toews said the centre has always played a pivotal role in his upbringing and his career.

“Today, I continue to be honoured to have my name associated with the Sportsplex on the Dakota campus,” he said.

“My parents have instilled in me the importance of giving back, and I believe that in supporting Dakota, we will see endless possibilities for the community centre’s future and transformation in the lives of our community members.”

Michele Augert, the centre’s chief executive officer, called the donation a “groundbreaking milestone” for a facility that has evolved into an important hub for the members of the south St. Vital community in the last three decades. The club, which is located at 1188 Dakota St., celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2017.

“For the last 30 years, this centre has been a hub for hockey and health and wellness, as well as social activities. It’s always been lovingly-referred to as The Club,” Augert said, also noting the support of the City and the Province in the growth of the facility.

“Dakota Community Centre is being transformed into a dynamic, multi-use hub and we’ll have accessible facilities for people with differing physical and financial capabilities. The future is very bright indeed.”

Augert said it’s fitting that Toews himself is part of the fabric of the centre, which is where his journey to hockey legend status began.

“Jonathan Toews grew up in St. Vital and began his hockey career as a Dakota Lazer. Over the years, he has been a frequent visitor and is our greatest ambassador. His legacy is one of greatness and unparalleled success. Through his many community outreach initiatives, Jonathan has never forgotten where he grew up and he and his family remain dedicated visitors and supporters here. We’re so proud of Jonathan’s accomplishments and the role the centre has played in his success,” she said.

Toews’ brother, David, who was representing the family at the event after his parents were snowed-in in northern Ontario, said the family is thrilled to be part of the continued development and evolution of the facility for future generations of visitors.

“I’m honoured to be here and I’m super-proud of my brother,” he said.

“It’s humbling to be part of this. Jonathan has a great passion for health and wellness, and we’re really happy and blessed to be part of this.”

Go online at dakotacc.com for more information.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com

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