Former Kelvin Community Centre site nets recreation funds

Some residents of Winnipeg's Elmwood neighbourhood are happy to hear the space where the Kelvin Community Centre used to be will remain a recreational space.

The City of Winnipeg and the Manitoba government announced on Thursday that they will invest $700,000 on recreational facilities at the site.

The money will go towards a skate park, playground, skating rink, and toboggan slide, as well as landscaping.

The Kelvin Community Centre closed down in 2006 and was demolished in 2008, despite protests from neighbourhood residents who fought to keep the facility open.

The city had determined that the centre was not being used enough.

Elmwood resident Angela Bergmann said she is happy to hear about Thursday's funding announcement because it means her children will have another place to play besides the Bronx Community Centre, located about 25 blocks away.

"We can't let the kids walk there by themselves," Bergmann said.

"This is right in our backyard. We can let them walk here by themselves to play hockey, to go tobogganing, to run with the dog and play soccer."

Some other neighbourhood residents said they hope one day there will be a community centre at the former Kelvin site once again.