Saying farewell to a life of community work

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This article was published 27/07/2020 (2267 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Steven Bemrose has spent  most of his adult life  managing, volunteering and advocating for community centres in Winnipeg.

But his long career is coming to an end, as he will retire on Aug. 31.

Bemrose, who currently works as the general manager of Robert A. Steen Community Centre, turns 65 in August and said it’s time to start a new chapter in his life.

“I’ve been working and volunteering at community centres for around 39 years, so (my family and I) thought it was a good time to officially retire,” Bemrose said. “I thoroughly enjoyed my (career), I’ve worked with almost all of (the community centres) in Winnipeg, in one way or another. I really enjoyed all of it. I’ll miss it, but it’s time to move on to full retirement.”

Bemrose’s career in community centres began in 1979, when he moved to St. James with his wife. After they settled in, his sister-in-law called him one evening, asking for help with organizing a teen dance at the Bord-Aire Community Club. He agreed.

“Next thing I know, I’m sitting on their youth organizing committee. Then, next thing I know, I’m on their board of directors,” Bemrose said.

A decade later, he joined the Assiniboine Community Centre district board, representing 14 centres in west Winnipeg. He then served on the General Council Community Centres Board, representing their interests to Winnipeg city council. After becoming president of that board, he eventually stepped down, but continued to work with city council in various roles.

In 2009, he became the general manager at Robert A. Steen Community Centre, stepping down from his position on the district boards. Bemrose said he’s done everything from hall rentals, event management, volunteer organizing, among other things.

“The number one thing you need is a friendly and open personality. Each community is different, you’ve got to have an open mind and listen to the community and what they want. You have to have a passion for making your community better, making your city better,” Bemrose said. “That was the best part about working in this field, everyone you work with cares about their community. If you volunteer for something for 39 years, you have to have a passion for it.”

Bemrose said Winnipeg is unique when compared to how other cities run their community centres. He recalls going to a world parks and recreation conference several years ago. When he spoke with centre managers there, they could not believe that Winnipeg operated its community centres mostly through volunteers. Most of the centres in the city are autonomous, governed by their own board members while receiving grants from the city.

He added that their volunteer base is the only thing that keeps the centres going.

Robert A. Steen Community Centre is restarting some of its programming.

For more information, visit robertasteencc.ca