Phase 1 - Accessibility
We have recently completed the new construction phase of converting the curling rink into a wellness centre! It is essential that the project is broken down into multiple phases in order to accommodate the various priorities, as well as budget restrictions. This will allow the facility to be utilized between phases while we secure additional funding.
Phase 1 of this project was focused primarily on making the facility fully accessible so everyone can enjoy it. This phase lasted over several years while we planned, fundraised, and eventually completed the construction. In the past several years, we had planned out the features and amenities, as well as the layout and design of the structure. This was an important but slow process, as it required substantial funding to hire the various professional services of architects and engineers.
The entrances to the facility incorporate two separate ramping systems to the various levels of the building. A new ramp has been constructed on the front of the building to facilitate access to the upper level, and a secondary ramp system has been constructed on the east side of the building to provide access to the mid and lower levels. These entrances are barrier free, and will serve as the primary points of entry going forward.
The basement level has an entire new layout and features private bathrooms, private change rooms, locker space, and a meeting room/classroom space. In the future, we anticipate that we could offer a sauna space as well, to provide even more value to the facility. There are private accessible washrooms on both the top and mid-level areas. This phase of the project has an expense of roughly $400 000 to $500 000 and has been largely funded by grants, fundraising efforts and donations.
The LRWC has received the following grants and partnerships for Phase 1:
- IERHA grant of $1,700
- Community Futures Grant of $5,000
- Building Sustainable Communities grant of $272,000
- Enabling Accessibility Grant of $95,000
- Efficiency Manitoba grant of $14,253
- RM of West Interlake of $30,000
- Partnership with Federated Co-op LTD of $50,000
- Partnership with Federated Co-op LTD of $50,000
- Partnership with Access Credit Union of $50,000
- From the Ground Up grant of $100,000
- Pickleball grant from the IERHA of $4500
- Tire Stewardship MB grant of $4500
- Tire Stewardship MB grant of $4500
- Community Futures grant of $5000
- Healthy Together Now grant of $3400
The LRWC is very thankful to have received this funding, as the project would not be possible without this support!
Phase 1 construction has been completed with temporary occupance as of the end of September 2025 and programming and public use is well under way! We continue to optimize and tweak operations and services of the facility and are receiving great feedback from our members. We are happy to see an expanding membership space, and look forward to the bright future of the LRWC!
