Community centre expansion proposal revealed

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This article was published 27/01/2020 (2259 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A major transformation could be in store for Tyndall Park Community Centre.

Renovation and expansion plans were presented at a drop-in public information session at the facility (2255 King Edward St.) on Jan. 20.

“We refer to this lovingly as our glorified skate shack,” Jennifer Ferguson, president of the centre, said.

The 5,400-square-foot community centre serves a catchment area of roughly 16,000 residents, according to the project feasibility study published last July.

“There is a need in this area for recreational space. We have some of the lowest recreational space per capita in this district,” Ferguson said.

“The fact that we get calls every day from people looking for gym space, you kind of know that it’s needed out here,” David Desousa, operations manager, added.

The building was constructed in 1994. It sits between two outdoor skating rinks, with a baseball diamond behind the facility on the east side, and a parking lot to the west. Two basketball courts are located on the south side.

The community centre struggles with limited space, Ferguson said. Much of the centre’s programming takes place in the gymnasium and multi-purpose room at Tyndall Park School, located to the south of TPCC.

The community centre and the school have a joint-user agreement to share the facilities. However, TPCC can only access the school between 6 and 9 p.m. on weekdays, and the City of Winnipeg pays to use the gymnasium on weekends. The school is closed to the community centre during holiday periods such as spring break.

The plans propose the addition of a multi-purpose room, a 5,900-square-foot gymnasium, canteen, lobby, washrooms, storage, and janitor closet, along with various renovations and site improvements.

An expansion would allow programs to flourish beyond what is now offered, including sports, dance, and exercise for seniors.

“It would expand almost by tenfold because we would have access to space that we can use for programming 24-7 if we wanted,” Ferguson said.

“We’re really excited about expanding the seniors programming, being able to offer pickleball, extended exercise and wellness that we have. We’re also really interested in getting in to some adult programming.”

The feasibility study estimates that the project would cost $8.3 million. No funding has been secured yet but the City’s website states that the cost will be considered as part of the City’s budget process. For now, the timeline of the project remains undetermined.

Gisele Mospanchuk, the principal at Tyndall Park School, said the project would meet a rising demand in Tyndall Park.

“I find this is really exciting for the community centre. Their population has been growing and growing. And their access to available and to good community space has really become difficult.”

For more information on the project, visit the City of Winnipeg’s website at https://engage.winnipeg.ca/tyndallparkcommunitycentre