2025: The year in review

West Winnipeg

January: West St. Paul Anglican church turns 200

St. Paul’s (Middlechurch) Anglican Church in West St. Paul celebrated its 200th anniversary on Jan. 26.

The church is easy to drive by, but historically significant. Its existence predates Manitoba becoming a province, as it was established in 1825, a decade after the Red River Valley was colonized by European settlers in 1812.

This is the third edition of the building. The first was replaced in 1844 following extensive flood damage. The second survived another heavy flood, but was torn down in 1867 due to structural wear and tear.

“It’s our job to keep it going,” said Debbie Pansky, people’s warden at the church. “Aside from having somewhere to worship, myself, I hope it can leave a lasting legacy for others.”

February: Oseredok ED Yulia Zmerzla moves on

In February, Yulia Zmerzla, who served as executive director at Oseredok Ukrainian Cultural and Educational Centre for a decade, stepped away from the role a new opportunity at Lions Foundation of Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario.

It was her first gig after immigrating to Canada from Ukraine 11 years ago, and recognized the big chapter she was leaving behind.

“I would say (I feel) very optimistic,” she had said, just before stepping away.

Zmerzla oversaw a large-scale campaign to upgrade the building’s basement, and was executive director when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. In the years that followed, Oseredok became a place of peace and safety for refugees arriving in Winnipeg after fleeing their home country.

“It shows that the community supports what we are doing. And I can say this is the evidence of all the work that has been done,” Zmerzla said.

March: Cre8ery art gallery says ‘goodbye’

On March 12, the Exchange District-based Cre8ery Gallery and Studio made the announcement that it would be closing its doors after 18 years in the local arts and culture community. The final show at the gallery was Beyond the Green: Building Perspective & Layered Emotions, a solo show featuring work by the gallery’s founder and curator Jordan Miller.

The reason for the closure was a mix of several factors, which dated back to 2020.

“I’m gonna miss that big open space, the white walls, the grey floor, even the chunks of concrete on the ceiling … it (is) such a unique place in Winnipeg, and I built those walls,” she had said, the day after the announcement.

“She’s done a lot for the artistic community,” said Jim Thomson, an artist and longtime contributor to the gallery. “Having this space there — really, there isn’t a space like that, and I’m really going to miss that.”

Following the closure, Miller continued to create art and remained a “middle ground” for other local artists looking to sell their own work.

A new life for John Blumberg sports complex

The Red River Exhibition Association acquired John Blumberg sports complex in April 2024, and wasted no time before hitting the ground running on necessary upgrades to the community space and recreational park.

“Year-round, accessible, and sustainable,” was the tagline offered by RREA CEO Garth Rogerson, who, at the time, was enthusiastic and excited about what was to come for the space.

“I think it’s probably going to take a couple of years to really realize the full potential. But it’s going to be exciting,” he said.

Softball Manitoba managed and operated the property for more than 30 years, but did not renew its lease with the city in 2023, after being asked to pay $3.2 million for required upgrades. A longtime advocate for proper use of the space, Rogerson revealed plans for repaired baseball diamonds, filled gopher holes, and a proper walkway along the river for neighbours and their dogs.

April: Familiar faces return to represent Winnipeg in Parliament

Following the federal election on April 28, a number of familiar faces returned to Parliament to represent Winnipeggers.

Liberal incumbents Kevin Lamoureux (Winnipeg North), Ben Carr (Winnipeg South Centre), and Terry Duguid (Winnipeg South) have retained their seats to help form the new government. New Democratic Party MP Leah Gazan (Winnipeg Centre) and Conservative MP Raquel Dancho (Kildonan-St. Paul) were also re-elected.

Meantime, Doug Eyolfson (Liberal) unseated Conservative incumbent Marty Morantz to earn a second term representing the riding now known as Winnipeg West, while Conservative Colin Reynolds edged out NDP incumbent Leila Dance, who was elected in Elmwood-Transcona in a byelection in September 2024. Ginette Lavack (Liberal) won the seat in St. Boniface-St. Vital, after Liberal incumbent Dan Vandal chose not to run for re-election.

Cat mania in St. Norbert

Sabrina Naayen’s Meow Mania Spring Market & Adoption Fair was held on April 13 at St. Norbert Arena, and purred along nicely.

Talking ahead of the event in the spring, organizer Naayen said it would feature a cat adoption fair, featuring several local rescues, at which visitors could meet potential new family members, more than 35 vendors showcasing cat-related products, and a craft area at which guests could create their own kitty bookmarks or catnip toys — glitter tattoos will also be on tap. The first visitors through the doors received swag bags.

Six local feline celebrities with growing social media accounts were also in attendance for meet-and-greet sessions, said Naayen, who owns Pawparazzi Pet Photography and is a self-confessed “crazy cat lady.” She said she began noticing different dog events popping up, but not so many for cats and wanted to help redress the balance.

May: Craig Street Cats closes St. James-based adoption centre

Longtime cat rescue and shelter Craig Street Cats closed its adoption centre on St. James Street with an ‘everything must go’ sale on May 24 and 25. Although it no longer houses adoptable cats, the non-profit continues to care for and manage stray cat colonies located all over the city.

“Every intact cat living out on our streets contributes three living kittens to our community every year … (which adds up to) 3,000 kittens every year, and 75 per cent of kittens die before they can reproduce,” said Lynne Scott, CSC’s founder. “A female cat will be a great-grandmother by the end of its first year.”

“The other programs (beyond the adoption centre) will continue for the next 10 years,” Scott continued. By then, she’ll be 80 and ready to retire.

June: Assiniboine Park introduces injured wildlife drop-off

June saw the introduction of Assiniboine Park Zoo’s new injured wildlife drop-off site, done in partnership with Wildlife Haven Rehabilitation Centre, a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release centre located in Ile des Chênes.

The site offers a city-based emergency resource for local wildlife in life-or-death situations, with veterinary professionals located on-site, at the zoo, rather than 15 minutes away from Winnipeg.

“It’s really a win-win, where folks are getting faster access to dropping off that animal, (and the) animal is getting faster access to care when it’s required,” said Zoé Nakata, Wildlife Haven’s executive director. “So it’s just a phenomenal initiative. I’m so proud that we’ve been able to open this and launch it … it feels like (we’ve been) building up to this moment, and so we’re just thrilled to have it open.”

The site accepts any species except bears, raccoons, skunks and wolves or hooved animals such as deer, elk and caribou. It also won’t accept any invasive species, such as stray cats.

July: South Osborne sporting two weekly markets this summer

When it comes to markets, it was a case of ‘the more, the merrier’ in South Osborne this summer.

On July 7, Riverview Community Centre (90 Ashland Ave.) held its first Monday market, joining the long-running South Osborne Farmers’ Market at Lord Roberts Community Centre (725 Kylemore Ave.), which runs Wednesdays throughout the summer from 4 to 8 p.m.

“We’re supporting about 74 local businesses so far this season,” said Cortney Ramsay, market co-ordinator for Fireweed Food Co-op, which runs the South Osborne Farmers’ Market. Ramsay noted that some vendors are there each week, some rotate, and some drop in casually for a week here or there. “We have a lot of musicians who play who come from the neighbourhood.”

August: New Garden City Men’s Shed group reaches out to community

In August, Ben Salnikowski encouraged men in northwest Winnipeg, and beyond, to learn what men’s shed is all about.

At press time, the plan was for the new Garden City Men’s Shed group to get together for the first time on the second floor of Garden City Community Centre/Seven Oaks Sportsplex (725 Kingsbury Ave.) on Sept. 17.

According to Salnikowski, who lives in the North End, the idea behind the group is straightforward — it’s about men getting together regularly, making new friends, and doing interesting things in a relaxed setting.

Participants might enjoy a friendly game of cards, learn new skills such as woodcarving, or just enjoy a cup of coffee and have a conversation.

September: Andrea’s Angel Walk held on Sept. 6

Community members were invited to take steps to support Manitobans with sickle cell disease (SCD) by taking part in Andrea’s Angel Walk, which was held at Kildonan Park on Sept. 6.

The event was held by the Sickle Circle of Manitoba — a non-profit organization focused on bettering the lives Manitobans living with the disease through advocacy, education and outreach.

Organizers said funds raised from the this year’s Andrea’s Angel Walk will be used to support the circle’s next education session, as well as its ride share program — an initiative which helps alleviate the financial strain of hospital visits and appointments for Manitobans with the disease.

The event is named in honour of Andrea Ndukwu, who died of complications of the sickle cell disease at the age of seven in 2007. In a statement, Andrea is described as “a fierce sickle warrior and Winnipegger.” Andrea’s sister, Beverly Ndukwu, is the founder and president of the Sickle Circle of Manitoba.

October: Whirlaway Westerners celebrate 70th anniversary

On Oct. 18, the Whirlaway Westerners square dance club celebrated its 70th anniversary with a day of dancing and dining at St. Basil’s Ukrainian Church (202 Harcourt St.).

The Whirlaway Westerners started in 1955 in the basement of the old Woodhaven School. These days, the group dances every Friday evening at Kirkfield Westwood Community Centre (165 Sansome Ave.) from 7 to 9:30 p.m., from Labour Day through to the end of April.

“I find it’s the only activity that you can go to and dance with somebody’s spouse and not get in trouble,” said past-president M.J. Kiceluk, with a laugh.

Local Legion closes its doors for good

Also in October, we reported the Fort Garry Legion Branch #90 was closing its doors for the last time on Nov. 30.

Having previously been located at 1125 Pembina Ave. since 1947, the Legion moved to the site of a former Pizza Hut restaurant at 762 Pembina Ave. in 2022.

“We’ve been losing money since the day we moved there (the new location),” co-vice-president Garry Reid said in October. “We thought the move was going to be ideal, but we’ve been losing money and we’ve finally reached the point where we can’t continue.”

November: St. Mary the Protectress celebrates centenary

On Nov. 1, a gala dinner was held to celebrate the centenary of St. Mary the Protectress Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral.

“We’ve been very fortunate, from humble beginnings,” Eugene Hyworon, a past-president of the church’s board of directors, and current board chair of the non-profit seniors’ housing centre, said.

A century after opening its doors in the North End, St. Mary the Protectress parish continues to act as a support network and hub for Ukrainian refugees who have come to Winnipeg since Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago.

Advocates for safer streets call on city to make changes

Residents rallied at a South Osborne intersection on the afternoon of Nov. 13, calling on the city to make streets safer for cyclists and pedestrians.

The rally, held at the intersection of Osborne Street and Brandon Avenue, was initiated after a 10-year-old boy named Jakob was hit by a car turning left, as he was crossing Brandon Avenue while cycling north along Osborne Street on his way to school on the morning of Nov. 5.

“This street is so out of control for traffic,” said Crystal Adams, Jakob’s mother. “The driver said she couldn’t see Jakob, but if she couldn’t see him, she shouldn’t have been proceeding.”

Among the immediate actions those in attendance were advocating included a ban on right turns onto Osborne from Brandon, a left-turn signal for those turning off Osborne, and residential speed limits reduced to 30 km/h across the city.

December: Historic military sites commemorated

On Dec. 4, members of the Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg visited the South Osborne-based school, where Col. Jody Hanson presented the plaque to principal Georgia Wells. The plaque details aviation activity on what is now the school site (510 Hay St.) from 1920 through 1948, when the Brandon Avenue air station effectively acted as Winnipeg’s airport for both commercial and military aircraft.

“This is a living reminder that places of learning are where history takes flight,” Wells told the crowd, which included students from grades 11 and 12. “Students are challenged to think about how past decisions shape the future, and to learn from the past.”

This past year marked the 100th anniversary of Canadian Forces Base Winnipeg, and the presentation was one of three to take place in December. Other plaques were presented to Canadian Mennonite University, where radio operators were trained leading up to and during the Second World War, and at the Winnipeg Airport Authority, commemorating Stevenson Field, the first air field at what is now the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport.