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!

Recreation Manitoba is currently seeking individuals to become instructors in our Aquatics Operator Course and someone/company to handle our digital media.

Course Instructor: Aquatics Operator Course

You are;

• someone with a background in managing aquatics facilities with at least eight years of experience, have taken and passed the Aquatics Operator Course and or the Certified Pool Operator Course. Outgoing and good communicator. Someone who prides themself on staying up to date on the latest industry trends. Wants to train your peers to help Manitoba provide safe efficient facilities that contribute to the well being of communities and individuals.
  
• This is part time contract position.
  

View the complete posting at this link

Digital Media Coordinator

• Someone/company to manage our digital media. This would include our social media accounts, and newsletter.
• This is an opportunity for an independent contractor or someone looking for a casual part time position.

The goal of the role is to;

• Increase engagement with Recreation Manitoba members and followers.
• Increase awareness of Recreation Manitoba programs, services and events.
• Promote the importance and benefits of parks and recreation.

CPRA is now accepting nominations for the 2022 CPRA Awards Program. The Awards are presented to individuals/organizations/corporations (including a municipality or government agency/department) who have demonstrated a high level of commitment, passion and leadership on a national level to the parks and recreation sector. Click here to learn about past Award recipients.

The CPRA National Awards Program recognizes the following:                           

• CPRA President’s Award of Distinction – Long-term service and commitment of individuals to the parks and recreation sector on a national scale in Canada.
• CPRA Partnership Award – Sector partners (organizations/corporations/governments) whose collaboration, creativity, and innovation enrich individual health and community well-being and enhance Canada’s parks and recreation community.
• CPRA Emerging Leader Award – The importance of supporting and celebrating young Canadians, as they are the future leaders of the parks and recreation sector.

CPRA encourages you to consider nominating an individual or organization for one of these prestigious national awards. The nomination process is simple and fast.

Download the full awards description and nomination form.

Award Nomination Timelines

January 2022                      Call for nominations for CPRA National Awards

March 30, 2022                 Close of nominations for the CPRA National Awards

May 2022                            Confirmation of successful nominees

For more information on the CPRA Awards Program, please contact mjay@cpra.ca

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a special meeting of the Members of the Corporation will be held electronically, on the 3rd day of March, 2022 at 2:00pm and at any adjournment or adjournments thereof, for the following purpose:

1. To receive and consider the financial statements of the Corporation for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021 together with the report of the Accountant thereon;

The following documents, as referred to in item 1 above, are will be posted to members-only side of the RMB website:

Financial Statements: RMB Year fiscal ended March 31, 2021

Members may register at this link

Town of Altona Recreation maintenance employee David Sawatzky prepared a report on air quality as a result of recent purchase of a portable air quality monitoring device by the Town of Altona Recreation Services.

See below for this report.

If you have feedback or comments on what your facility is doing to mitigate the issue of airborne transfer or if you have purchased or upgraded air purification devices please send your feedback to Shane at sray@recreationmb.ca and Eric at recreation.manager@altona.ca

Recreation MB would like to thank and acknowledge David Sawatzky for his efforts in preparing the report and Eric Hildebrand for sharing this information and allowing us to share and distribute it.

REPORT

Over the last few weeks we’ve been compiling some data in regards to the CO2 levels in our building.  It's been difficult since the activity level in our building has been a bit low since the start of the New Year but we’ve still managed to assess a few key areas.

We’ve spoken with a few different MB HVAC experts and have been told that 800 ppm is the level of CO2 we’re trying to stay below regarding the spread of Covid-19.  That said, a short term spike to 1000 ppm, or even 1200 ppm is acceptable assuming a return to normal levels afterwards.  Sustained CO2 levels above 1200 ppm indicate a need for better ventilation and levels above 1500 ppm for any sustained period (more than 10 minutes) would indicate a very high chance of Covid spread.

While CO2 levels give a good indication of where air quality needs to be improved each specific area is affected by 2 main factors:  how often the space is being used and how many people are using it at that specific time.  A few areas of our building have shown to be very well ventilated so far.  The Lobby area is not only large, but has enough residual airflow that CO2 levels never pushed past the 800 ppm level while monitoring.  The connected rec. offices (main and rec. programmer) also fared well with levels again staying within accepted levels, even when occupied for the entire work day.  The Rhineland Pioneer Centre areas, when being used for Pickleball and ballet, have also shown to be ventilated well enough for those particular activities.

The one area of our building that is concerning is the dressing rooms.  We've changed our air intake to fresh air only (instead of recycled air) which has improved overall air quality. Unfortunately they're also areas that are unsupervised with prolonged occupancy.

The chart below is from a typical Tuesday evening, Altona Minor Hockey “skills night”.  The monitor was in DR #2 (Dressing Room #2) which housed half of the U7 group at 4:30pm and half of the U13 group which started practice at 7:00pm.  As you can see CO2 levels were normal (500ppm avg.) prior to any kids arriving and hitting 1000ppm by the time they take the ice.  Over the next hour it drops, but only back to 750ppm and when they return, spiking up to 1150ppm.  After their practice the room sits empty until the U13 team arrives.  But in this empty space the CO2 levels only decrease to about 850ppm.  As the U13's get ready for practice the sustained levels are reading 1337ppm.  

While this was a typical evening of practices with smaller groups, a better indication of what full dressing rooms look like is the next example below.  January 16th saw a U18 game with the visiting team occupying DR#2 and the air quality monitor.  They arrived early, over an hour before game time and CO2 levels spiked quickly, rising from the normal 500ppm and reaching 2708ppm by the time the game started,  At these levels Covid-19 spread would almost be unavoidable.  After the first 2 periods levels had dropped to around 1400ppm  but again, quickly rose during intermission to close to 2000ppm.  After the game they again rose to 2000ppm.

There aren't many actions we can take to make our dressing room air quality better.  They're interior rooms, unable to access outside air except through the ventilation system.  The only real options are reducing occupancy numbers and reducing the amount of time spent inside the and or installing Air Purification units.   Back in 2020, before the seasons shut down, we had larger gaps between rentals to accommodate fresh air intake, spacing teams across multiple dressing rooms to reduce the number of occupants.  We also had rules regarding entry and exit times for teams, only allowing them to enter the facility 30 minutes prior to a practice/game and exiting immediately after.  We had messaged our main users (Altona Minor Hockey) to follow the same protocols this season.

If anyone is curious as to the type of monitor we purchased, the link is available here. https://www.es-canada.com/air-monitoring/46-monitoring-co2-temperature-relative-humidity-and-atmospheric-pressure-aranet4-home.html

As with any Covid related purchase, the receipt is being saved in the hopes that at some point there may be some type of relief program in place for municipalities that have incurred expenses due to Covid.

UPDATED February 2

Backgrounder from February 2

Public Health Order for December 20.

Clarification document re December 20. Click to view

Sport Manitoba Clarification regarding new PHO and sport

• Sport Participation Flow Chart V9_COVID_19_Guidance_Flowchart_14X14_1_.pdf
  

Sector Support Program

The Sector Support Program is a $22 million program that provides assistance to businesses affected by the COVID-19 public health order restrictions released on December 17, 2021 and are in effect from December 21, 2021 to January 11, 2022.  Recreation facilities are eligible to apply. Click for more information.

COVID-19 Public Health Orders for Indoor Youth Sports Provincial Implementation Guidance released December 2 for COMMUNITY FACILITIES

ENGLISH version

COVID-19 Public Health Orders for Indoor Youth Sports Provincial Implementation Guidance released December 2 for SCHOOLS

• FRENCH and ENGLISH versions

Negative Test and Single Dose Examples

• Sample of a negative rapid antigen test from a pharmacy
• Sample of proof of a single dose record from Shared Health website
  

Government of Manitoba resource website regarding indoor sports and vaccinations.

• This link is to a resource page form on the the Government of Manitoba website
  

COVID Screener Reference Guides

• You can download a reference guide out together by Recreation Manitoba for COVID screeners at this link.

Commissionaires Manitoba also produced a similar guide

• Commissionaires Manitoba  Job Aid for Immunization Verification(note has a sample of a negative antigen test)

Background info

• Background information from Province of Manitoba
  
• FAQ from the Province of Manitoba
  
• Province of Manitoba information piece with regards to Human Rights and COVID.
• Province of Manitoba COVID posters for facilities
• Questions and Answer from a Westman Recreation Facility Meeting
  

Verification App

You can download a copy of the Verification App at these two links

• Apple
• Android
  

The Province of Manitoba has developed this resource on using the Verification App.

The Province of Manitoba has provided these samples from other provinces to assist in identifying full vaccinated individuals

What is your organization mission statement and values?

The Manitoba Fitness Council Inc. is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting quality in fitness leadership in order to provide Manitobans with safe, effective and enjoyable physical activity programs. The MFC was formed in 1986 in response to a need for standardized training and recognized accreditation within the growing fitness industry. Since that time, the organization has broadened its mandate to include public education and advocacy for physical activity. MFC’s vision is one of a vibrant province where people are active and healthy.

What types of programs, services or events is your organization currently offering?

We offer weekly online workshops for professional development for fitness leaders an personal trainers. We also offer 10 different fitness leader certification options for people in Manitoba. Many of our certifications are offered online as well as in person.

Are there any upcoming programs, projects or event your organization would like to share?

We are currently working on a marketing campaign to get people back to the gym and back to regular physical activity. Look for commercials and social media messages which will be coming in the next few months. We have many certification courses available online, even online live.

What are the two or three biggest challenges your organization face?

We have lost a lot of fitness leaders throughout the pandemic, the need is still there and the classes are still there but we lost up to 15% of fitness leaders in the province. We are in the process of rebuilding these numbers and adding leaders that can inspire others to be active.

How many employees are currently employed in your organization?

• We have two full-time staff a part-time staff and 15+ contract staff.

Can you give us some two or three points of pride?

• We have been around for almost 35 years!
• We have worked with our partners across Canada to ensure that our certifications are relevant and represent best practice in the fitness industry
• We are easy to talk to.. have a question about fitness leader certification. we can help you understand it..

The Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability (ALACD) is interested in learning about the experiences of mothers and daughters (ages 9-15 years) in recreational sport and physical activity.

We want to explore how mothers with a disability participate with, or serve as mentors to, their school-aged daughters (9-15 years) to engage in recreational sport and physical activity, including learning about the unique barriers they face and what they need to participate.

We also want to explore the strategies that mothers employ, and the supports they need, to get their daughters (aged 9-15) with disabilities engaged in recreational sport and physical activity. 

By learning more about mothers’ and daughters’ experiences, and the role that families play in supporting one another to be active, we can help to influence community practices and policies that seek to increase and retain the participation of women and girls in recreational sport and physical activity.

Through participation in either focus groups or interviews with mothers and daughters , we will take the findings and develop resources for community recreation organizations to ensure that their programs, facilities, and services are welcoming and accessible to women and girls with disabilities. 

If you know of a mother, who herself has a disability or who has a daughter with a disability, and would be interested in participating in a focus group or interview, please ask her to contact Christa Costas-Bradstreet (Director of Partnerships, Active Living Alliance for Canadians with a Disability) at christa.costas@outlook.com for more information or to schedule an interview (or participation in a focus group if we have enough people).