A place to lace-up

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This article was published 21/12/2021 (1384 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The athletes who use one area outdoor rink will notice major upgrades to the facilities when coming out for the first skate of the year.

The Assiniboia West Recreation Association recently celebrated the opening of its new rink building at 861 Buchanan Blvd. A fire ripped through the AWRA’s former change building by night in August 2018. The main recreation centre was spared.

Following the blaze, the association’s board members secured the insurance payout and applied for grants to cover the added costs of constructing this new 2,765-square-foot facility.

The recently unveiled building was designed by Winnipeg-based 1×1 Architecture as a multi-use community space, whereas the previous building was limited to dressing rooms and a canteen.

The new rink building features outdoor and indoor seating; accessible, non-gendered washrooms; modern water pumps for the rinks; a series of windows, which allow for a clear vantage point to the ice; and a bright and spacious hall and kitchenette.

“A lot of volunteer hours have gone into the logistics of being involved in the meetings with the builders and the architects and the planning of the space,” Courtney Czezowski, president of AWRA’s board, said.

Czezowski has long-standing ties to the community. Her parents served on the board when she was a child. Fast-forward to today, Czezowski is a parent to a child in sport and is following in her family’s footsteps to help keep Crestview active and engaged.

The AWRA expects the new building will be more energy-efficient, too. A new, state-of-the-art boiler heats water by-demand, and LED lights will keep the building cool and slash hydro costs.

The facility is tucked between the association’s two rinks, positioning it just a few steps away from the boards. It is equipped with two sliding partition walls that can be used to divide the room into two dressing rooms during tournaments. The centre’s flooring is safe for skates.

The AWRA plans to rent the hall year-round.

“We’ve had a lot of interest from the community already,” Czezowski said.

The rentals will allow the non-profit community group to pay for its amenities and maintenance, Czezowski said. The hall can accommodate clubs, tournaments, and one-off events, such as birthday parties. An on-site HEPA filter can be used to purify the air during gatherings.  

Depending on availability, renters can book the space during the day throughout the three-month winter sports season. The new building is already home to fitness classes six days per week. During the off-season, community members can also rent the space in the evening. To register for a time slot, visit events@awra.ca