CPRA has launched the Canadian Parks, Recreation and Sport Infrastructure Database, the first database specifically designed for the recreation and parks sector. Recreation Manitoba members can use this database by both entering and accessing essential facility and demographic data to better understand and convey how your facilities contribute to the health and wellbeing of your communities.

CPRA is looking for Recreation Manitoba member communities to support the project. They need your help to:

• Enter the location and basic information about your community’s facilities in the database;
• If your facilities are already in the database, ensure the location and information entered is correct.

Exciting Benefits of the Canadian Parks, Recreation and Sport Infrastructure Database:

• The Database has been pre-populated with some facility information made available through Statistics Canada.
• The simple user interface lets you easily update existing facilities and add new ones.
• You can quickly access information on key health indicators using built-in demographic data.
• A movement data layer provides you a picture of how people are using your outdoor parks and facilities hour-by-hour.
• A dashboard allows you to compare facility provision levels within your community or with communities of a similar size and profile.
• The database can be used as an indispensable tool for reports to council, budget and project planning, and feasibility studies.
• CPRA can utilize the data to illustrate the benefits of parks and recreation and advocate for additional support from the federal government on your behalf.

How to sign up and enter your facility information:

• Click here to sign up for your own account.
• Click here for video tutorials.

Register for the CPRA and ActiveXchange introductory webinar on May 18.

Questions? Please contact intelligence@ActiveXchange.ca

Susanne Moore, recently retired Recreation Director for Macdonald Headingley Recreation District, was presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Manitoba) by Lieutenant Governor Anita Neville at a ceremony on December 19, 2022. Award recipients were nominated for their public service, dedication to others, impactful accomplishments in their community and leading by example. Susanne was nominated by MLA Myrna Driedger. 

Susanne has been a leader in Manitoba’s recreation community for over 30 years, and one of recreation’s biggest advocates, promoting recreation for its contribution to individual physical and mental health. Her career focused on building community capacity and creating a positive environment for citizens of all ages and abilities to grow and thrive. Along with providing innovative recreation programs and services to her communities, Susanne volunteered on numerous recreation initiatives that moved recreation forward in Manitoba. She was President of Recreation Connections Manitoba (now Recreation Manitoba), represented Manitoba at national level discussions, including the development of the National Framework for Recreation, and participated on many provincial committees. Susanne received the 2016 Recreation Connections Manitoba President’s Award for Outstanding Achievement for her volunteer commitment and leadership to recreation, and was the recipient of the 2017 CPRA Award of Merit for Manitoba.

Susanne’s engaging personality and professionalism as well as her tremendous wit and sense of humour contributed to her success in bringing recognition and credibility to the field of recreation. Susanne has been an influential leader and champion for recreation in her communities and municipalities as well as at a regional, provincial and national level. Not surprising that in retirement, Susanne continues to volunteer in her community!

Join us as we congratulate Susanne on this tremendous and well deserved honour of receiving the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Manitoba).

Click on YouTube link for Presentation Ceremony (Susanne at 23:50)

Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal (Manitoba) Ceremony - December 19, 2022 - YouTube

Applications are now being accepted for the 2023-24 Building Sustainable Communities program. This program supports local community development priorities led by municipal leadership and non-profit organizations with leveraged funding from other public, private and philanthropic sources and the work of local volunteers, the minister noted.

Building Sustainable Communities provides a grant contribution of 50 per cent of eligible project costs up to $75,000 and up to $300,000 for large capital projects. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, charitable organizations, municipalities and Northern Affairs community councils. Since its launch in 2019, the program has committed more than $57 million to support over 1,300 community-led projects and leveraged approximately $135 million from other funding sources.

Grant applications are also now being accepted for the 2023-24 Urban/Hometown Green Team program, which allows organizations to hire youth for summer jobs across Manitoba.

The Urban/Hometown Green Team program provides opportunities to support the needs of community-based organizations and young Manitobans looking for summer employment. The program includes a broad range of employment activities including recreation and camps, as well as greening and beautification initiatives, the minister said.

The grants cover 100 per cent of wage costs plus $250 per position for non-profit organizations. Municipal governments receive 50 per cent of wage costs and $125 per position on a cost-shared basis.

The deadline for applications for both programs is Jan. 16, 2023.

Click here to read the full news release 

The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) announced today a new $8M investment that will increase participation and retention of equity-deserving groups in recreational sport in Canada.  Entitled “Reaching Each and Every One: A Community Sport Intervention”, this major investment was made possible through CPRA’s successful application to the Government of Canada (Sport Canada) Community Sport for All Initiative.

Click here to Apply 

This funding will allow CPRA to support community-led projects that remove barriers and increase participation rates in recreational sport for underrepresented groups, in particular, Black, Indigenous, racially diverse, 2SLGBTQQIA+, low-income and newcomer populations, and people living with disabilities.

Effective immediately, eligible organizations can apply for grants up to $50,000 that address barriers to sport via CPRA’s “Reaching Each and Every One: A Community Sport Intervention”.  For more information on eligibility, timelines, and how to apply, please visit: cpra.ca

Click here to read the full news release 

The Columbus Blue Jackets is the first National Hockey League (NHL) team to choose the natural refrigerant CO₂ (R744) for its arena refrigeration. CIMCO Refrigeration (CIMCO) will support the Blue Jackets in upgrading their outdated HFC-22 (R22) system in 2023, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and paving the way for sustainability within the league and throughout the industry.

CIMCO, Canada's largest industrial refrigeration contractor, has installed more than 100 CO₂ arena systems since 2012 and is confident that this is the best solution for the Ohio (U.S.)-based NHL team’s home – Nationwide Arena. Initially, an HFO blend was considered but the CO₂ solution offered significant cost reductions and removed the risk of future refrigerant phase downs associated with synthetic refrigerants. 

“We wanted to provide Nationwide with a long-term solution,” explained Brad Wilkins, US Recreation Project Team Lead at CIMCO Refrigeration. “With the current state of synthetic refrigerant blends, you cannot make long-term promises.”

“After extensive research in a solution for our 22-year-old plant, we determined the smartest choice was a CO₂ solution that CIMCO proposed,” explained Derek Smith, General Manager at Nationwide Arena. “Having a future-proof, efficient, sustainable refrigeration installation that will last for the next 30 years is very important to us. With ever-changing regulations in the industry, we were not interested in having to trouble ourselves with having to find another solution in the coming years. CO₂ has had a longstanding reputation in Europe for decades and we are excited to be the first NHL team to implement a CO₂ plant partnering with CIMCO.”

The Blue Jacket’s farm club, the Cleveland Monsters, already uses a CO₂refrigeration system, with great success.

CO₂ Offers Superior Performance

CO₂ stands out in terms of performance. Superior quality ice under any circumstance is crucial for NHL arenas, often leaving operators at the edge of their seats during large games with increased (and unpredictable) heat load demand. The CO₂ solution provides a very fast way to bring the ice temperature down to meet the performance requirements when it is needed. This particular system will also have full redundancy built in to ensure operators do not ever have to worry about their ice.

“The NHL is all about high performance and this is a high-performance system that will give them the best ice quality for many years to come,” said David Fauser, Director of Sales at CIMCO Refrigeration. “We are confident that we will exceed expectations on this project.”

The Columbus Blue Jacket’s arena will be served by two 200 TR (703 kW) packaged trans critical CO₂ systems with full (100%) redundancy. For the majority season, only one system is needed but both can be deployed as needed in warmer months.

The project will commence during May 2023 with practical completion scheduled for September 2023.

CIMCO Brings CO₂ to Winter Olympics

This is not CIMCO’s first game in the big leagues with CO₂. They were also recently involved in bringing transcritical CO₂refrigeration to the Winter Olympics in Beijing, China in 2022. As part of a four-party consortium, CIMCO consulted on the 1,000 TR (3,517 kW) CO₂ system installed for the speed skating oval. >>Read more

About CIMCO Refrigeration

CIMCO Refrigeration Inc. (cimcorefrigeration.com), headquartered in Toronto, Canada, specializes in the engineering, design, manufacture, installation, and service of industrial, process cooling, and recreational refrigeration systems. For more than 100 years, CIMCO’s leadership and unparalleled research, development, and manufacturing programs have put it at the forefront of industry advancements and technological breakthroughs.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF MEMBERS

NOTICE is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Members of Recreation Connection Manitoba, operating as Recreation Manitoba (the Corporation) is called for and will be held electronically via Zoom videoconferencing on the16thday of June, 2022, at 10:00 am (CT)for the following purposes:

1. To receive the audited financial statements of the Corporation for the financial year ended March 31, 2021;
2. To elect Directors of the Corporation;
3. To appoint the Auditors of the Corporation for the ensuing year;
4. To consider and, if amenable, approve bylaw amendments;
5. To transact such other business as may properly be brought before the meeting.

For further information, please download the 2022 AGM Package at www.recreationmb.ca which will be available after September 9th

Recreation Manitoba – September 16^th, 2022, ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM)

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

What is Recreation Manitoba?

Recreation Manitoba is a dynamic, provincial organization that provides leadership and a strong voice to the recreation delivery system in Manitoba

How is the Board of Directors structured?

The business of the Association shall be managed by a Board consisting of no less than five (5) and no more than nine (9) directors. The composition of the Board shall include one (1) Director who fulfill the following quota: At least one (1) Director who is a member of therapeutic recreation profession.

How many positions are up for election?

For 2022 there are five spots currently open for election with one incumbent, Justine Friesen, running for re-election on the Board of Directors. Each spot is for a two-year term.

Responsibilities of Board Members:

1.       Directors are required to attend all regular meetings (approximately six meetings per year), annual general meetings and special meetings as determined.

2.       Directors are responsible for carrying out the policies and directives of the RMB, which are determined at the annual general meeting.

3.       Directors are accountable to the funders for the programs and services provided by the RMB and how the associations’ funds are expended.

4.       Directors shall serve as a liaison between the recreation community and the RMB.

5.       Directors maybe required to Chair or co-Chair, and actively participate on one of the Committees of the Board.   Committee responsibilities include by are not limited to:

• providing the Board of Directors with regular progress reports and/or presentations

• overseeing the logistics of the committee operations and identifying resources required (financial and/or human) for all initiatives, programs and/or services

6.       Directors will foster positive working relationships between volunteers and staff.

7.       Directors shall volunteer for and willingly accept assignments and complete them thoroughly and on time.

8.       Directors must stay informed about board and committee matters, prepare themselves well for meetings and review and comment on minutes, financial reports and other related items.

9.       Directors shall serve without remuneration.  A Director will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses (i.e. mileage) incurred by them in the performance of their duties.

Time Commitment

• Recreation Manitoba holds an average of six (6) meetings of the Board per year – with most meetings held electronically (e.g. zoom, teleconference). Meetings are generally held during a normal work day.
• Directors are expected to serve on at least one (1) committee and attend up to four (4) such committee meetings per year. There may be additional committee(s) work as required.

Term of Office

Directors serve a term of two years with the maximum number of terms being three, for a total of six years.

Eligibility
To be eligible for election as a Director, an individual must:

a)       Any members of the Association who is eighteen (18) years of age or older and who has the power under the law to contract, is not in the status of bankrupt, is able to carry through the responsibilities of a Director. All Directors must be members of the Association.b)      Nominations will be accepted from any voting Member in good standing.

How will Board members be selected?

Directors are elected in accordance with Recreation Manitoba’s By-laws

What qualifications are needed to be a Director?
12. Directors must possess a majority of the following General Attributes

 

Independence and sound judgment	Integrity – demonstrate personal integrity, are trustworthy, and insist the organization behave ethically.
Long-term, strategic outlook.	Organizational Governance knowledge and experience at a somewhat complex organization.
Knowledge of business issues and financial matters.	Demonstrated ability to operate effectively as part of a diverse team.
Continuous improvement mindset – including being open to new ideas, are strategically agile and responsive to change.	Conflict resolution – they are oriented to resolve conflict, are resilient after it occurs and support board decisions once made.

In addition the following competencies have been identified

Competencies are labeled as Essential(E)-priority 1, Desirable(D)-priority 2, Beneficial(B)-priority 3

Competency	Example
Leadership Experience   E	Experience as a leader in a government/public sector or private sector organization. This means engagement with budget development and reporting, risk identification and mitigation, policy/procedure review and approval, organizational structure (individual positions and larger decisions) that impact employees, engagement with strategic planning and reporting, etc.
Risk Management   B	Identifying principal risks of an organization. Experience in doing risk identification and mitigation.
Financial Literacy & Operational Controls   E	Ability to read, understand and analyze financial statements. Experience with financial accounting standards, internal controls, audit, and reporting.
Strategic Planning   E	Experience in engagement with strategic plan, overseeing the measuring/reporting, and identification of strategic priorities.
People/HR   D	Experience in an HR function in an organization
Governance   E	Experience in a Board environment. Experience in drafting, revising and engagement in diverse and interconnected policy and procedures.
Communications and Engagement   E	Demonstrated ability to facilitate healthy interactions/relationships and effectively deliver messaging in a diverse, multi-stakeholder environment specific to recreation and parks. Stakeholder engagement and knowledge of communication strategies.
IDEA(Inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility)   D	Experience of giving consideration in thinking and decision making to inclusion, diversity, equality, accessibility. Knowledge of standards with regards to IDEA.

Nominations

All individuals wishing to run for a position as a Director, including any current Director, will be subject to nomination which requires the submission of a signed Nominee Application Form and supporting materials by the application deadline.

The Nominations Committee will conduct due diligence by reviewing the nominee’s qualifications, the required skills and attributes, potential conflict of interests or other significant matters which would preclude the nominee from successfully fulfilling the duties of a Director. Each Nominee must complete and sign a Nominee Application Form and submit it to the Nominations Committee.

What is the deadline for submitting 2022 Nominee Applications?

Nominee Applications must be submitted by September 9, 2022, at 10:00am (CT).
Applications must be emailed to emailed to: info@recreationmb.ca

Additional questions?

Email info@recreationmb.ca

Recreation and parks have a major role in helping fight climate change.

Sustainable operating practices, green building trends, and incorporating education into programming are opportunities for recreation and parks to be a community leader.

Over the next few weeks Recreation Manitoba will be highlighting resources and information to assist practitioners and volunteers on this journey.

WEEK ONE:

• KEY TERMS from the Climate Reality Project
• FAQ's from the Nature Conservancy
• Climate Change in Manitoba
  

News release

For immediate release

Canada, Manitoba and Thompson invest in a new $15 million aquatic facility Thompson, Manitoba, May 9, 2022—The Government of Canada and the Government of Manitoba recognize the important role recreation facilities play in our communities. Investments to build and upgrade community and recreation infrastructure help Manitobans access the services and networks they need to stay connected, share experiences, and build healthy, inclusive, and vibrant communities.

Today, the Honourable Reg Helwer, Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services, Her Worship Colleen Smook, Mayor of Thompson, and the Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, announced funding to build a new aquatic facility in the City of Thompson.

This new facility will replace Norplex Pool, which closed in 2019, and will provide the residents of Thompson and the surrounding area with a modern and larger multi-use venue. The facility will consist of two tank pools, including a six-lane pool and another pool featuring a shallow end with beach entry and splash pad. The facility will also include a sauna and space for small gatherings and meetings.

The Government of Canada is investing up to $6 million in this project through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program’s Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream. The Government of Manitoba is funding up to $5 million, and the City of Thompson is contributing approximately $4 million towards eligible costs for the project.

Quotes

“In collaboration with provincial and municipal partners, our Government invests in infrastructure that help create healthy and inclusive communities. The new City of Thompson Aquatic Facility will make a meaningful difference in the lives of residents and continue to make Thompson a vibrant place to live, work, and raise a family.”

The Honourable Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, and Member of Parliament for Saint Boniface—Saint Vital, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

“Our government understands the need to invest in critical infrastructure improvements, and our investment in this aquatic facility will help stimulate the economy in Thompson as well as support northern communities as they recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This fine new facility will also improve the quality of life for residents of the Thompson area by providing access to recreation for well-being, which is critical to the creation of healthy communities.”

The Honourable Reg Helwer, Minister of Labour, Consumer Protection and Government Services

"A pool in Thompson is not just for Thompson; it is a regional facility for more than 50,000 people who live and work across northern Manitoba, and we are grateful for the support from our partners in securing this funding. Northerners need a fun and safe way to stay active in the winter, and to learn to respect our waterways. Pools like these also bring our region together, and this announcement is amazing news for the north as a whole."

Her Worship Colleen Smook, Mayor of Thompson

Quick facts

• The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is providing $33.5 billion over 11 years for public infrastructure across Canada. Under this program, provinces and territories prioritize and submit projects to Infrastructure Canada for review. To date, the program has approved more than $20 billion for over 4,500 projects in communities across the country.

• Over the last three years, $672,485,271 in federal funding has been approved for 97 infrastructure projects in Manitoba, including 14 community, culture and recreation projects.

• In Manitoba, the Government of Canada has invested more than $945 million in over 229 infrastructure projects since 2015.

For Immediate release

“Recreation Manitoba Announces 2022 Award Recipients”

Recreation Manitoba, the Manitoba organization dedicated to serving the Manitoba parks and recreation sector, has announced the recipients of its six major awards for 2022.

Recipients will be recognized at this year’s Recreation Manitoba Conference.

In announcing the recipients, President Emily George said “now more than ever parks and recreation has shown what an essential part of healthy and well communities they are. The sector includes so many people and organizations who lead by their example of dedicated service to their communities.”

“It is important for us to recognize the best of these in tribute to the award recipients but also to broadcast their accomplishments as encouragement to them and to others.”

Awards are presented to people or organizations in each of Recreation Manitoba’s four pillar areas of emphasis

• ·       Facilities (presented to Grande Pointe Homeowners Association),
• ·       Nature (presented to Dan Lester, St. Clements),
• ·       People & Community (presented to Gilles Durupt, Winnipeg),
• ·       Health & Wellbeing (presented to Kathy Picard, Lac du Bonnet).

Individuals, groups and organizations, and outdoor destinations are eligible for these awards.

Two outstanding individuals are also recognized through the Therapeutic Recreation Award of Excellence (presented to Nicole Perras, Misericordia Health Care) and Recreation Manitoba’s most prestigious honour, the Prairie Crocus Award, which recognizes an individual for significant contribution across the broad spectrum of Recreation Manitoba’s fields of interest (presented to Sharon Arsenault, Winnipeg

 

Recreation Manitoba 2022 Awards

Prairie Crocus Award
Sharon Arsenault (Recreation Technician – Sgt. Tommy Prince Place)

The Prairie Crocus Award honours a professional who has made a significant contribution to recreation, therapeutic recreation, parks and/or leisure services within the Province of Manitoba.

Sharon Arsenault has ‘done it all’ in recreation since entering the field about 35 years ago: special needs programming; preschool, children’s, family, and seniors programming; special events; staff training on computerized registration systems; and facility management.

For the past 13 years she has been at Sgt. Tommy Prince Place (formerly North Centennial Recreation & Leisure Facility). Her love of the facility has allowed her to help foster pride and ownership within the community and to help that community protect and value the facility.

She takes special pleasure from watching Sgt. Tommy Prince Place grow and flourish in its service to the community with a renewed family atmosphere where all ages can play together.

Therapeutic Recreation Award of Excellence
Nicole Perras (Misericordia Health Care)

The Therapeutic Recreation Award of Excellence recognizes and honours a therapeutic recreation professional who has made a significant contribution in the field of Therapeutic Recreation within the province of Manitoba. 

Nicole Perras has worked in the Therapeutic Recreation field since 1998 and is recognized by her colleagues as a leader, an advocate for the profession and for her clients. She is always looking for opportunities to learn and grow as a therapeutic recreation professional and as a person to be able to recognize creative and innovative programs for the clients she supports.

In a career of service, the pandemic years have been particularly challenging and in early 2021 Nicole rose to the challenges. She was nominated as a Misericordia Health Care Warrior, recognizing outstanding work in the face of Covid-19.

She is an advocate for wellness in the workplace. As a passionately active member of both MHC’s Workplace Health & Safety and Fitness Committees, her ideas, attention to detail and organizational skills have been very important in making positive change within Misericordia Health Centre.

From larger-scale activity such as training students, thus contributing to the future of the Therapeutic Recreation professions, to very small ideas, such as using google translate and playing familiar music for clients who do not speak English, Nicole constantly demonstrates the importance of a creative approach in serving both her clients and her profession.

Guided by a belief that person centred care is essential, Nicole Perras is recognized by her colleagues as a role model and is a credit to the Therapeutic Recreation profession.

PILLAR AWARD: Facilities
Grande Pointe Homeowners Association - Grande Pointe

Recognizing a recreation facility, individual or group in Manitoba that demonstrates outstanding or unique innovations in providing places to gather, play and connect. Nominees have the capacity and passion to operate facilities and spaces, according to best practices and trends in the industry.

The Grande Pointe Homeowners Association has accomplished the development of a community centre and community park with extensive leisure and recreation opportunities through development and implementation of a multi-stage long-term plan. The group formed in 1997 to deal with the local issues following the ‘flood of the century’. Since, it has provided community leadership in the unincorporated residential community.

Beginning with the acquisition of 20 acres of land and ending with the recent opening of the Grand Pointe Community Centre, the group has accomplished much in just over 20 years and continues to work at implementing its vision for “a unique space focused on physical activity and accessibility”.

The Grande Pointe Park and Community Centre development began with the establishment of necessities such as well, pump house, retaining wall, driveway and parking lot but also flower beds and a picnic shelter with a brick floor. It now includes a stage for concerts, an outdoor multi-use sports pad which houses an outdoor rink in the winter time, a warm up shack, a natural playground with a swing designed for individuals with special needs, baseball diamonds with dugouts and bleachers, a soccer pitch, a beach volleyball court, outdoor fitness equipment, a fire pit area and a trail system along the Seine River.

The original vision of a multi-functional park for recreation and leisure has been met and surpassed with the addition of the community centre. Residents now gather at this central meeting place, year-round, for community events and celebrations as well as recreation and leisure purposes. 

PILLAR AWARD: Nature
Dan Lester - St. Clements

Recognizing the passion and achievements of individuals, groups and organizations that steward recreational, natural, and green spaces that enhance community quality of life.

Dan Lester is the Executive Director of the Red River North Trails Association. He has been a part of RRNTA since 2004 and was RRNTA representative on Trails Manitoba from 2008 to 2015.

In this role, as well as through countless volunteer hours, he has been a tireless worker and significant contributor to the development of trails and trail systems. In particular, he has been directly involved in development and connection of the 400 kilometres of Trans Canada Trail from Great Falls, passing through the entire East Beaches region, Mars Hills, Beausejour, Selkirk, Lockport, and into Winnipeg.

He has negotiated partnerships with 10 different municipalities and the Trans Canada Trail central organization, has developed many private landowner’s use agreements, and has secured over a dozen permits through the various government departments for land use access and road crossings.

He has secured shared funding and cost-share grants from the province, estimated at over one million dollars, and has completed $1.2 million dollars’ worth of trail projects for Red River North Trails Association.

Dan has a deep appreciation for the value of recreation and strives to increase awareness of the opportunities that access to and use of trails can provide for individuals or families.

 

PILLAR AWARD: People & Community
Gilles Durupt - Winnipeg

Recognizing recognizes the efforts and dedication of individuals, or groups, who lead and advocate the many benefits of the field.

Gilles Durupt is being recognized for a lifetime of volunteer service in the St Boniface community, at Le Centre Recreatif Notre Dame Recreational Centre, and in the hockey community with St. Boniface Minor Hockey and College Louis Riel High School. During most of his volunteer career he has served at the same time in both board leadership roles and hands-on coaching roles.

Among many examples of his leadership is the critical role he played as a member of the board of Notre Dame Recreational Centre when faced with the need to replace the ice plant in the arena. He worked as part of a team to facilitate installation of the new ice.

Gilles has actively coached hockey, baseball, and soccer and has made a difference in his athletes’ lives both as coach and supporter. He has encouraged many others to follow in his footsteps as both a coach and as a community volunteer and then maintained a continuing relationship as a mentor for those he encouraged into both roles.

Gilles is a champion of community development, Francophone culture, bilingual sports programs, and inclusion of everyone in the community in sport and recreation. He was the driving force behind the development of the St. Boniface Seals Minor Hockey program, the NDRC breakfast Club, bilingual hockey teams and coaches in St Boniface, and building more opportunities for the Recreation Centre to engage new community members including new Canadians. He has coached both male and female hockey teams to championships.

PILLAR AWARD: Health & Wellbeing
Kathy Picard - Lac du Bonnet

Recognizing nominees that have gone above and beyond to increase opportunities for their community to benefit mentally, physically and socially.

Kathy Picard has focused on community fitness in her retirement after a career as an Elementary Physical Education teacher. Always a role model for a health and wellness lifestyle, she is a promoter of recreation opportunities and a leader of a wide range of leisure and recreation activities in the Lac du Bonnet area.

She is the founder and president of the Lac du Bonnet Trails Association. She gets much of the credit for the realization of the dream to create the Bluewater Spur of the Trans Canada Trail. Through her work on developing trails in the area, she has secured funding to groom sections of trail for cross-country skiing.

Kathy was responsible for writing the funding applications to establish Pickleball in Lac du Bonnet and continues to be an organizer, including Pickleball skills sessions - whether it be an introductory course or specific skill building.

In winter, she spearheads an informal group of cross-country skiers to gather and ski together.

She established and continues to teach aerobic fitness classes for mature adults. These twice-weekly sessions have had a huge positive impact on the mental and physical well-being of the attendees. Targeting youth and concerns about physical and mental wellbeing during the pandemic, she volunteered to lead an after-school activity program called Mindful Hikes. The program had unanimous positive feedback from the parents of the children who participated.

Wherever there are healthy lifestyles initiatives in the Lac du Bonnet area, its likely Kathy Picard is a forefront or behind the scenes organizer and/or participant!