Building a bigger, better MCC

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/01/2016 (3635 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Maples Community Centre recently received good news regarding its expansion plans.

On Jan. 16, the province pledged to fund up to $7 million for the construction of a new, improved and much bigger Maples Community Centre at its current 434 Adsum Dr. location.

Adam Tocci, president of the Maples Recreation Association, told The Times that the new community centre in The Maples would be a hardwood sports-focused facility.

“The plan is to incorporate eight full-sized basketball courts and 16 volleyball courts. You can imagine the possibilities,” Tocci said.

According to Tocci, the new community centre would also contain such amenities as exercise and yoga facilities, rooms for business and social gatherings and a second-floor walking track.
Tocci said the current Maples Community Centre will be demolished to make room for the new facility.

The new centre will be attached to the arena at 454 Adsum Dr.

Rink manager Eric Dearsley said a new community centre will greatly benefit The Maples.

“With our ethnic community, basketball has become so huge in this end of town, with the Filipino community and the East Indian community as well. It will be well-used,” Dearsley said.

Not just a community centre, Tocci said the proposed facility’s impact will go beyond The Maples.

“This project is not just about The Maples. It’s not about the north, the west, the east or the south, it’s about the betterment of the city itself,” Tocci said.

“It will be a one-stop shop for national sports to come to Winnipeg. Right now, they have to use the entire city to run any type of event. Volleyball has to sometimes utilize eight different facilities. It’s not necessarily an embarrassment, but in this day and age, to not to be able to host something like a volleyball tournament is sad.”

Tocci said construction of the new centre still depends on funding from the city and federal governments, estimating the total cost of the project to be between $21 million and $23 million. The Maples Recreation Association is also endeavouring to raise $3 million toward the project.

Tocci said Maples Community Centre is already limiting its long-term programming as to minimize any potential hiccups during the transition.

He said he’s ready to go as soon as the money is in place.

“I have a shovel ready right now,” Tocci said.