Community staple re-opens following construction

City Centre

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This article was published 02/10/2024 (650 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On Sept. 21, community members gathered at 242 Lizzie St. to celebrate the grand re-opening of Giizhigooweyaabikwe Park.

The park, considered“the heart of the neighbourhood” by Bernadette Smith, Point Douglas MLA and provincial minister of housing, addictions and homelessness, underwent a major overhaul and now sports a brand-new, half-court basketball court, community water fountain, and upgraded lighting.

Other improvements to the space include asphalt pathways, benches, a picnic table, a bike rack, and newly laid sod, according to the city.

The park was renamed in 2018, in honour of community member Leslie Spillett. Giizhigooweyaabikwe translates to “Painted Sky Woman” in Anishinaabemowin.

“Leslie is a longtime community advocate who has been a tireless champion for inner city communities, and the Manitoba government is pleased to support this important project which will benefit this community for years to come,” Smith said, in a release.

“Wherever kids and families can gather and play safely, that becomes the heart of any community,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “That couldn’t be more true than here in Centennial, where improvements at Giizhigooweyaabikwe Park will offer families the chance to play, connect, and celebrate with each other for many years to come.”

Pictured (from left), are scholar, author and community advocate Niigaan Sinclair, Bernadette Smith, former Point Douglas city councillor Mike Pagtakhan, Leslie Spillett, Winnipeg South Centre MP Ben Carr, and Coun. Vivian Santos (Point Douglas) all of whom were trying out the shiny new court.