South Winnipeg Recreation Campus
South Winnipeg Recreation Campus
The South West quadrant of Winnipeg has been growing at twice the anticipated rate. Housing development started in 2008 (Bridgwater Forest) and was anticipated to take 20-25 yrs for complete build out. Now, in 2019, there are few lots remaining in Bridgwater Center, Trails and Prairie Pointe. This rapid growth has left the City playing catch up in the planning and development of recreational facilities to serve over 40,000 residents. The rapid growth also has Pembina Trails School Division playing catch up with the construction of elementary and high schools for the growing young population. In this catch up position for both the City and Province, the two levels of government are now working together to develop a shared recreation campus with a high school attached to gymnasiums and recreational facilities, and in close proximity to an elementary school and daycare.
Since 2014, I’ve posted updates on my website that reflect the long and detailed process – from lifting a clause prohibiting development, to acquiring land, to partnering with the Province on the joint construction of the schools and recreation campus, through a neighbourhood planning process, to a public hearing, to refining development cost sharing agreements. Taking an open prairie field and moving it through the many development processes to the point of installation of pipes and roads is no easy short term process. I encourage you to read the latest update: South Winnipeg Regional Recreation Campus – Update & Next Steps

South Winnipeg Recreation Campus UPDATE – December 2022
A lot of work is underway to gather community input into the development of this new regional recreation facility, being designed to serve upwards of 120,000 people! This is the first phase of the campus - if you have any questions, please email me at...

2022 UPDATE – South Winnipeg Recreation Campus – Video
I’ve put together a short video update on the new recreation campus, fire station & schools! Exciting times ahead for residents in the growing Waverley West ward! https://youtu.be/RSKYHHyqsRk

New Off-leash Dog Parks in Southwest Winnipeg
There are three new places to off leash your ‘woofie’ in Southwest Winnipeg! Through a new program, community centers are now able to convert hockey pens into an off leash area! Huge thanks to the Whyte Ridge and South Winnipeg Community Centre’s volunteer...

Funding for South Winnipeg Community Centre
In July, with Councillor Markus Chambers & Ministers Sarah Guillemard & Jon Reyes we jointly announced $292,000 in renovation funding to repair the two buildings which make up the ‘South Winnipeg Community Centre’. $100,000 in City of Winnipeg Renovation Grant...

Funding Announcement – South Winnipeg Recreation Campus
Photos: Doug Little An incredible funding announcement occurred this summer! On Thursday, August 12, 2021, Federal Member of Parliament Terry Duguid and Provincial Member of Legislative Assembly Jon Reyes each announced matching funding making for a total of...

Looking for Local Leaders – Exciting Volunteer Opportunities!
South Winnipeg Community Center Annual General Meeting Date: Monday, September 13th Time: 7:00 pm Location: Waverley Heights Community Center, 1885 Chancellor Drive Southwest Winnipeg is growing and growing fast! Over the last 4 years, just over 40,000 people...

South Winnipeg Recreation Campus – Federal Funding Announcements Pending
I’m very optimistic the Federal government, and Provincial government will be doing a joint announcement on funding for the South Winnipeg Recreation Campus in the coming weeks – years working on this project – so what’s a few more weeks to wait!!! No confirmation –...

City Seeks Proposals for Waverley West Recreation Facility Project
Conceptual Image Thank you Joyanne Pursaga and the Winnipeg Free Press for accurate reporting on this important project in Southwest Winnipeg. Navigating many interests and partners to acquire, plan, prepare and transform a wide open prairie field into a new...

Funding Request Submitted to Provincial & Federal Governments for South Winnipeg Recreation Campus
A formal funding request for construction of the South Winnipeg Recreation Campus has been submitted to the Provincial and Federal governments. YOU can encourage our local representatives, MLA Jon Reyes, and MP Terry Duguid to work with their political parties to...

Funding Request Submitted to Provincial & Federal Governments for South Winnipeg Recreation Campus
A formal funding request for construction of the South Winnipeg Recreation Campus has been submitted to the Provincial and Federal governments. YOU can encourage our local representatives, MLA Jon Reyes, and MP Terry Duguid to work with their political parties to...

South Winnipeg Recreation Campus – Update & Next Steps
A brief update on the South Winnipeg Recreational Campus. Since 2014, I’ve posted updates on my website regarding the long and complicated process - from lifting a clause prohibiting development, to acquiring City land (19 acres), to partnering with the Province on...

Major MILESTONE: South Winnipeg Recreation Campus
In September Council prioritized four infrastructure projects to move forward on. Council will now seek funding support from the Province of Manitoba and the Government of Canada by applying to the federal ‘Investing in Canada Infrastructure Funding Program’: Two...

Waverley West ‘B’ Secondary Plan – Final Approvals
Unanimous Council approval on June 20th to proceed with the 7th & final neighbourhood (Waverley West ‘B’) in the community of Waverley West. See final approval plans (June 20, 2019): Secondary Plan – Waverley West Neighbourhood B Appendix B – Recommended...

Councillor Wants To Form Working Group To Increase Community Gym Use
(Photo credit: Eva Wasney, Canstar) Pleased to be moving forward in the formation of a working group with Pembina Trails School Division and the City of Winnipeg to enable more affordable and frequent weekend access of school gymnasiums. I made a presentation to the...

Update On South Winnipeg Recreation Campus
This is a very active file and I will provide you with a brief update. Many significant steps have occurred to prepare the land, secure servicing, funding and planning of the complex. BUT there are also many many ‘moving parts’ that still have to be confirmed. If you...

Update: Recreation Campus In South Winnipeg
The site of the new recreation campus is currently a big open field. No roads, no water, no sewer, no lights, no drainage – just a big field of prairie grasses! While it is a rare gift to be able to plan a new recreation campus on an open field with few space...

Two New Schools To Be Constructed Alongside New Recreation Campus In South Winnipeg
The Province of Manitoba’s 2018 Budget is announcing the construction of TWO new schools in South Winnipeg! These two schools will be constructed on Pembina Trails School Division land in the area of Waverley West B (in the approximate area of the grain elevators just...

Preparing for a New Recreation Campus
The site of the new recreation campus is currently a big open field. No roads, no water, no sewer, no lights, no drainage – just a big field of prairie grasses! While it is a rare gift to be able to plan a new recreation campus on an open field with few space...

Expropriation of Land Moving Forward for Recreation Campus
It is important to understand, the City is able to secure additional land to expand the site. Qualico is an excellent 'city building partner' and extensive negotiations are occurring on a regular basis to ensure this site will be built to meet the communities growing...

Significant Step Forward Towards Development of South Winnipeg Recreation Campus
Today the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development, Heritage and Downtown Development approved expropriation of ~20 acres of land in Waverley West. The land is to be acquired to enable development of the South Winnipeg Recreation Campus. Final approval of...

2018: Planning, Partnerships & Pulling the Pieces Together for the South Winnipeg Recreation Complex
Outstanding support from the South Winnipeg Community Centre, representatives of the South Winnipeg Action Team (SWAT), area residents and neighbourhood associations has successfully facilitated a change in the City's proposed 2018 budget. Funding for a new...

Paying for the South Winnipeg Recreation Complex: Impact Fees, City Taxes or ??
On December 5, 2017, many residents spoke to Mayor Bowman and his Executive Policy Committee about the need for recreation in South Winnipeg. On multiple times, Mayor Bowman said impact fees could ‘possibly’ go towards funding a recreation center. It's important to...

UPDATE: South Winnipeg Recreation Centre
The City of Winnipeg’s Preliminary 2018 Capital Budget was tabled on November 22, 2017. For comparative purposes: Winnipeg's 2017 Budget identified $12M in funding for new recreational community facilities Winnipeg's 2018 Preliminary Budget identified $5.6M in...

Recreation Facility Is A City Responsibility
The City's Preliminary 2018 Budget does not include any significant capital funding for a South Winnipeg Recreation complex for the next 6 years. As a point of reference, the new $20M Field House building at Dakota Community Centre took 2 years to construct and 5+...

South Winnipeg Recreation Facilities Being Overlooked
TO BE CLEAR: It is the City’s mandate and responsibility to deliver recreational services. This is a MUNICIPAL responsibility, as is sewer, water and police protection. Recreation is NOT the responsibility of the Provincial or Federal Governments. For example, the...

No Budget for SW Winnipeg Rec Complex for Next 6+ Years
The Mayor, his Executive Policy Committee, the Deputy Mayor and Acting Deputy Mayor comprised the 2018 Budget Working Group at City Hall. They crafted the City's Preliminary 2018 Budget and did NOT identify capital funding for a recreation complex in South West...

Funding & Progress Update – South Winnipeg Recreation Complex
This is a very brief update on the South Winnipeg Recreation Complex, with a more in-depth one to follow next month. The map highlights locations of community centers across Winnipeg, as well as the square footage of heated recreation space (See *NOTE). November 6,...

Request for $30M for South Winnipeg Recreation Complex
Before a shovel went in the ground to develop Waverley West, the City of Winnipeg had identified a recreation deficit in the SW quadrant of Winnipeg (SEE Page 19 - General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres Plan 2025). Fast forward 12 years later, and SW Winnipeg...

South Winnipeg Recreation Campus – January, 2017 Update
Positive, ongoing progress is occurring on this ‘complex’ Recreation Campus project. I am very pleased to have secured funding for this exciting, new initiative in the 2017 budget process: $4.1 Million to be used to purchase land for the recreation campus $120,000 to...

South Winnipeg Recreation Campus UPDATE
We are making solid progress on the South Winnipeg Recreation Campus, and a lot of behind the scenes work has been occurring this past year. A formalized group of stakeholders have been meeting and developed a Project Charter. The Project Charter articulates:...

Plans for Proposed Recreation Campus Progressing
I am working with community partners and levels of government to develop a recreational campus in South Winnipeg, located off Kenaston Boulevard and Bison Road South. Winnipeg is experiencing rapid growth and there is tremendous pressure on existing and old...

South Winnipeg Community Centre AGM -and- South Winnipeg Rec Campus Update
Mark your calendar for this special “two meetings in one” presentation! Everyone is welcome to attend the South Winnipeg Community Centre Annual General Meeting! It’s a great chance to meet your neighbours and learn about the many community activities that SWCC...

2016 Approved Budget Impact – South Winnipeg Recreation Campus
There is positive movement in the 2016, 2017 and 2020 budgets on the South Winnipeg Recreation Complex. Waverley West Library This library is anticipated to be part of the South Winnipeg Recreation Complex: 2017: $100,000 for preliminary planning purposes, site...

A Request For Your Help
Planning is Underway for a South Winnipeg Recreation Complex! An exciting, new initiative! Please see Pages 10-11 of the South Winnipeg Community Centre Spring Newsletter for a recent update on our progress. The City has committed $350,000 for planning, and things...

South Winnipeg Recreation Initiative UPDATE
On November 25, 2015, City Council unanimously approved the next steps towards the development of a new South Winnipeg Recreation Complex. For details, please refer to the summary below. Early in the new year, YOU (the community) will be invited to attend open houses...

Committee Approves Recreation Facility
A massive recreation campus for Waverley West took a step forward on Tuesday, November 10, 2015. At a property and development committee meeting at city hall the committee ok’d handing over $350,000 to begin the planning stages for the facility. Planning would include...

NEXT STEPS Moving Forward – South Winnipeg Recreation Initiative
On November 10, 2015, I was pleased to see the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development, Heritage and Downtown Development approve the Public Service’s recommendations to invest $350,000 towards the planning and conceptual design of the South Winnipeg...

November News Coverage – South Winnipeg Recreation Campus
There has been some informative media coverage regarding the proposed South Winnipeg Recreation Campus. I encourage you to review the latest news on this important initiative! 680 CJOB Radio with Richard Cloutier (November 6, 2015)...

Report on South Winnipeg Recreation Campus
The long awaited report highlighting details around the South Winnipeg Recreation campus is now available! To see the report, visit: Regional Campus Implementation Strategy SPC on Property and Development Nov 20, 2015 HIGHLIGHTS of Report’s Recommendations:...

Big Plans for Recreation Campus in South Winnipeg
I’ve been waiting for this report to come forward for months – and expect it will be posted on the City’s website on Friday, November 6, 2015. City Administration is to provide a full report to Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development with respect to the...

Build South Winnipeg a Community Centre!
A city councillor says it is “mind-boggling” that the city didn’t plan a regional community centre for Waverley West when it approved the massive neighbourhood’s construction. Coun. Janice Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert) expressed frustration at Tuesday’s property...

Feasibility Study – Waverley West Recreation Campus
REPORT DELAYED: The feasibility study on the proposed Waverley West Recreation Campus has been deferred again. Rather than mid-October, the report is expected in mid-November. City Administration is to provide a full report to the Standing Policy Committee on...

Opening of Splash Pad; Future Recreation Campus in SW Winnipeg
While kids have been cooling off this summer at the new splash pad at Waverley Heights Community Centre, the heat is on for increased recreation opportunities in the growing neighbourhood. St. Norbert MLA Dave Gaudreau, Coun. Janice Lukes (South Winnipeg-St. Norbert),...

UPDATE – Waverley West Recreational Campus
Progress is being made on a key Ward Priority of mine! This is an update on the formal ‘process’ which is under way towards the development of a regional Recreational Campus in the Waverley West area. I currently have many meetings occurring with community...
Waverley West Recreational Campus – Feasibility Study
Funding has been secured to move forward on the initial phase of development of a Waverley West Recreational facility. This first phase of funding ($350,000) will be used to commission a feasibility study to determine the scope and obtain a Class 3 estimate for the...