Earlier this month, the Province's  Building Sustainable Communities Fund awarded $25M to a number of community-based organizations in Manitoba.

The Rosenort Community Centre has been allotted $100,000 for upgrades to its outdoor recreational space. The project will include construction of a brand-new outdoor basketball court and the installation of a hard surface floor into the existing picnic shelter. 

Spokesperson Darren Plett said they chose these projects for good reason.

"Basketball is actually the leading pick-up sport in the world, and picnic is kind of the leading informal cross-generational recreation activity. So, we're kind of trying to hit a couple of areas where we believe that our community can show that we want to become inclusive and multi-generational and multi-cultural."

Both projects are situated on the grounds of Westfield Park, the site of the community's arena, baseball diamonds and tennis courts. A pathway will also be added to the picnic shelter to improve accessibility.

Plett says living with two years of COVID restrictions has shown the value of outdoor recreation spaces.

"That's where this was born. The need for outdoor informal recreation activities, in our minds, was highlighted. That really was a significant part of what got this whole project going is a new vision for the need for outdoor informal recreation."

The province's allocation will supplement $150,000 in local donations from businesses and individuals. The Centre has also received financial aid from the RM of Morris and the Canada Community Revitalization Fund. 

One the most exciting aspects to the provincial grant is being able to proceed with the project this summer.

"We're hoping to take advantage of the money that's available, and also we have a local contractor that's committed to doing the project for us. We're anticipating it'll all be done by fall," said Plett.