Red River Ex makes headway on John Blumberg sports complex

St. James-Assiniboia

Westwood

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/03/2025 (417 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Red River Exhibition Association has big plans to upgrade and revitalize the John Blumberg sports complex, located west of the city, now that it has acquired an initial lease on the property.

RREA CEO Garth Rogerson said people can expect to see improvements begin to pop up at the city-owned property as early as this spring.

“We’re going to get a lot done this summer,” said Rogerson, who has been advocating for proper use of the area during the last few years.

“I think it’s probably going to take a couple of years to really realize the full potential. But it’s going to be exciting.”

Softball Manitoba, which managed and operated the property for more than 30 years, did not renew its lease with the city in 2023, after being asked to pay $3.2 million for required upgrades. The site was idle until the Ex acquired a one-year lease on Jan. 28. The City of Winnipeg issued a request for proposals to manage, operate and maintain the property at 4540 Portage Ave. in April 2024, and the Ex, which is headquartered just across Portage Avenue, was the lone bidder.

Rogerson is “fairly confident” a long-term lease of 99 years will approved sometime before its seasonal lease is up.

A city spokesperson said that, at press time, details of the potential long-term lease were being finalized and a time must be set for it be presented to a committee of council. Coun. Evan Duncan (Charleswood – Tuxedo – Westwood) expressed support for the new ownership in Sept. 2024, but was unavailable to comment before this story went to print.

“We’re taking a risk,” Rogerson said, adding that when Exhibition staff opened the park’s front gates last month they discovered the cupboards were practically bare. Money has already been spent to replace necessary appliances.

Rogerson added that, if things don’t work out, “we’ll lick our wounds and move on,” but he remains hopeful.

“Year-round, accessible, and sustainable” is the tagline to the business plan the Ex put together last summer. Less than a year later, the local non-profit is ready to get to work on improving the Headingley park and sports complex as soon as the snow melts and the ground is ready to go.

The Ex will focus on repairing the grounds and making the area “nice and safe” this summer, Rogerson said. This work will include filling gopher holes, adding grass seed, and upgrading the parking lot. Rogerson said the site’s the soccer fields were relatively good condition, but the ball diamonds will need attention.

There are also plans to upgrade the walking trail, and to upgrade a trail along the riverbank so that people can use the space as a public park.

“Just make it a really nice, community-access facility,” Rogerson said.

Future plans include upgrades to the on-site building, including adding a restaurant and sports bar on the second floor, as well as creating a new dog park.

The business plan stated that the acquisition of the John Blumberg lease will enable it provide an extension of the services it provides at Red River Exhibition Park, and create a “significant destination centre” for Winnipeggers year-round.

“I just think there’s so much potential,” Rogerson said. “That place has just bugged me for years, that nothing was going on there, so let’s get this thing going now … I think it’s gonna be super-cool, and I think people are gonna be excited about it.”

“It’s just cool to see it open up again and be an active hub,” he said.

The adjacent John Blumberg golf course is not included in the lease.

Rogerson said the Ex is in the process of adding Blumberg to an app called CatchCorner, which will allow users to book its fields in advance. Those interested in booking the fields can also call the Red River Exhibition Association office at 204-888-6990.