Salvation Army celebrates community greenspace in St. Vital
WINNIPEG, MB – A young girl squeals as she runs barefoot with her pigtails trailing behind her. Her sister, a few feet away, turns cartwheels in the lush green grass. This is a wonderful, warm Sunday afternoon at the new greenspace adjacent to The Salvation Army Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre (BMFRC) in the neighbourhood of St. Vital in Winnipeg. Thanks to a local philanthropist's generosity, this area has been landscaped into a beautiful park for the residents of the community to enjoy.
Nancy Allan, MLA for St. Vital, who attended the Grand Opening ceremony on May 24, brought greetings on behalf of the Government of Manitoba and expressed her feelings to those assembled, "The Barbara Mitchell Family Resource Centre is one of my favourite places in my riding, I love it so much. I love it because of the incredible support that it gives to the community." She went on to note, "We've been blessed with this beautiful day and this beautiful space."
A prayer of blessing was offered over the space by Major Margaret McLeod, Area Commander for The Salvation Army after which Cadet Yves Bolduc lead a parade of neighbourhood children waving colourful streamers around the park area to officially open the space.
A barbeque lunch was provided and children were treated to pony rides, a bouncy castle and inflatable giant slide, while adults took the opportunity to stretch out and enjoy the day in the shade of one of the many trees in the area.
The greenspace is a very welcome addition for the families of Alpine-Lavallee, a densely populated neighbourhood comprised of mostly multi-family dwellings and rich in multiculturalism. Many residents cannot afford to put their children into organized sports and have little access to transportation.
The Salvation Army's Major Corinne Cameron, Executive Director of BMFRC explains, "Most residents live in apartment buildings, many of which do not have balconies. There was a vision, for a long time, to be able to create a free space for families and communities to join together, and simply enjoy being outside. This is the gift we have been able to give through the ministry of our greenspace."
The anonymous donor spearheaded the project. Supplemental funding was provided by The Weston Foundation and the Government of Manitoba's Community Places Program.
For information on how you can make a donation to help families in your area, please call (204) 975-1033.
Featured image: MLA Nancy Allan with BMFRC Executive Director Major Corinne Cameron
