Manitoba News Release - GRAND OPENING OF THE NEWLY RENOVATED AND EXPANDED NORTH CENTENNIAL RECREATION AND LEISURE FACILITY

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Manitoba News Release
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August 13, 2010

COMMUNITY GATHERS TO CELEBRATE GRAND OPENING OF THE NEWLY RENOVATED AND EXPANDED NORTH CENTENNIAL RECREATION AND LEISURE FACILITY

Winnipeg, MB—Minister of State (Democratic Reform) Steven Fletcher, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Flor Marcelino, and Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz today participated in a community celebration to officially open the North Centennial Recreation & Leisure Facility at 90 Sinclair St.

"Our government is proud to have supported improvements to the North Centennial Recreation and Leisure Facility, which will help to improve the community's recreational infrastructure and stimulate the local economy. We believe it is important that the community have access to safe and accessible recreational facilities" said Minister Fletcher.

"Recreation centres are important to increasing sports and exercise opportunities for kids. They help them get active, make friends, and learn new pastimes, many that last a lifetime," said Minister Marcelino. "Our investments in recreation centres are important to improving neighbourhoods by creating opportunities to boost the health and well-being of families."

"This facility will not only provide our citizens with a positive healthy alternative and recreational opportunities, but will also meet Silver LEED standards reducing our environmental imprint and will provide an environmentally sustainable facility for the betterment of our community," said Mayor Sam Katz. "By working with all levels of government, Council has remained committed to improving our city's recreational infrastructure across our City and I look forward to many more positive initiatives in the future."

The North Centennial Recreation and Leisure Facility is the city's newly renovated and expanded community gathering place located in Old Exhibition Park.

A sustainable design and construction strategy was used for the North Centennial, targeting a Silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification. The LEED rating system is designed to promote design and construction practices that increase efficiency, reduce the negative environmental impacts of buildings and improve occupant health and well-being.

The 17,657-square-foot addition includes a 6,000-square-foot gymnasium, a weight room, a teaching kitchen, a classroom and a studio. The 50-metre renovated pool features a sloped entry to allow easy access for everyone. The new specialty change area includes a common locker room and four individual change rooms that are accessible and feature a transfer bench, lift, shower, sink and toilet.

The $7,526,667 expansion and renovation of the facility is a tri-level partnership between the Government of Canada the Province of Manitoba and the City of Winnipeg. The Government of Canada contributed $226,667 through the Recreational Infrastructure Canada Program (RInC). Through the Manitoba-Winnipeg Recreation and Leisure Infrastructure Program, the Province contributed $2.52 million and the City of Winnipeg $3.78 million in funding. An additional $208,000 comes from the City of Winnipeg Accessibility Program, and $792,000 in City of Winnipeg Capital funding.

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