April 8, 2025
Manitoba Government Supports YMCA-YWCA's Heart of the City Campaign
– – –Project to Redevelop Winnipeg's Downtown Y: Premier
The Manitoba government is investing $5 million to support the YMCA-YWCA Winnipeg’s Heart of the City Campaign, Premier Wab Kinew and Sport, Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Nellie Kennedy announced today.
“The Downtown Y is an important hub for downtown Winnipeg, serving families for more than 100 years,” said Kinew. “Our government is proud to support this campaign to help them offer the recreation opportunities, youth and community programs, and child care that help keep our downtown vibrant for years to come.”
The province’s $5-million contribution will help the YMCA-YWCA Winnipeg reach its $18-million goal for the campaign. The funding will be used to revitalize and redevelop the Downtown Y into a new community hub, emphasizing accessibility, community partnerships, expanded child-care spaces, additional classrooms for mental health and newcomer programs, with more areas for community engagement and recreation including a new indoor splash pad, noted the premier.
“A thriving and dynamic downtown not only makes life better for families, it also supports local businesses, arts and culture and is essential to Manitoba’s overall prosperity, so our government is proud to collaborate with the YMCA-YWCA Winnipeg to support and drive this important goal forward,” said Kennedy. “Our government is pleased to work with the YMCA-YWCA to create more recreation opportunities for young people so they can have safe places to play, develop their skills and find a good path in life.”
“The Downtown Y has been serving the heart of Winnipeg for 112 years and this space is critical to ensuring safe and welcoming spaces for youth, families and our downtown community,” said Cordella Friesen, president and CEO, YMCA-YWCA Winnipeg. “We have witnessed first-hand the needs of downtown as they have evolved drastically over the last five years and we know that we are a part of the solution. We can't thank the Province of Manitoba enough for this critical investment and what it means for our ability to serve the 1,000-plus people that walk through our doors on a daily basis.”
For more information on the Heart of the City Campaign, visit: www.ywinnipeg.ca/heartofthecitycampaign.
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