Doubling down on downtown Y
Facility hopes to raise $15M for upgrades
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Ace Burpee had two favourite places when he was a child: Cooks Creek, the hamlet northeast of Winnipeg where he grew up, and the YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg, where his father was the CEO.
The radio DJ and philanthropist has fond memories of swimming, doing gymnastics, playing basketball and even breakdancing at the downtown Y.
“I just always felt it was my second home,” Burpee said. “I learned a lot and I met a lot of amazing people. I’m very fortunate to have had that long association with the Y.”
DAVID LIPNOWSKI PHOTO
Ace Burpee and Kristie Pearson are co-chairing a $15-million fundraising initiative in support of redeveloping the Downtown YMCA-YWCA.
That association continues today.
The Y announced last month that Burpee is co-chairing a cabinet team that will spearhead the organization’s $15-million Heart of the City Capital Campaign to redevelop the downtown facility.
The redevelopment aims to make the Vaughan Street building a community hub with expanded child care, youth programming, newcomer services and mental health services, as well as community classrooms, improved accessibility and an indoor splash pad.
“The amount of discussion about downtown these days is enormous and while a lot of it is negative, there are a lot of people trying really hard to make positive changes,” Burpee said. “There will not be a downtown Winnipeg without a downtown Y, so let’s make it as great as possible.”
Joining Burpee as cabinet co-chair is Kristie Pearson, a committed volunteer who has served with numerous organizations in the city.
Volunteer opportunities
The following is a list of volunteer opportunities for Winnipeg and surrounding areas. For more information about these listings, contact the organization directly. Volunteer Manitoba does not place volunteers with organizations but can help people find opportunities. To learn more about its programs and services, go to www.volunteermanitoba.ca or call 204-477-5180.
The Gimli Glider Exhibit needs volunteers for its museum. A background in aviation is not required, only an interest in history and a desire to work with the public. Must be 18 or older. Duties might include gift shop sales and answering questions about the Gimli Glider. The exhibit is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on 1st Avenue in Gimli. Apply with a resumé at http://wfp.to/yCP or gimligliderinfo@gmail.com by July 15.
Inclusion Winnipeg needs volunteers to join its board of directors. The registered charity has been dedicated to making life better for children and adults living with intellectual disabilities for more than 60 years. Volunteers must be passionate about creating inclusive communities and willing to contribute their expertise and energy. Enthusiastic and dedicated people from diverse backgrounds and various skills are needed. Successful candidates should have a commitment to the organization’s mission and be able to participate in monthly meetings. Apply to executive director Janet Forbes at jforbes@inclusionwinnipeg.org by Aug. 16.
Edge Skills Centre, a charitable organization that has been serving Winnipeg for more than 34 years, needs volunteers to join its board of directors. The board is particularly in need of a treasurer. The treasurer will oversee budget adherence, financial reporting, bookkeeping, audit and tax compliance, financial policies, risk management, board engagement, strategic planning and financial education. Must be 18 or older and able to attend eight one-hour evening meetings per year. Email bkms@mymts.net by Aug. 31.
MADD Canada needs social-media volunteers to create content and manage its platforms in Brandon. The volunteers will interact with followers, respond to inquiries and work toward expanding MADD’s online presence and follower base. This opportunity is ideal for people comfortable with using social media, particularly Facebook and X (Twitter). The hours are flexible, and volunteers can work remotely from their home in Brandon. Must be 18 or older. A criminal record check is required, but costs will be reimbursed. Email tcrawford@madd.ca by Oct. 10.
The Gimli International Film Festival needs volunteers. Hospitality volunteers welcome guests at receptions and events, Operations volunteers help with tasks such as setting up signage and preparing venues. Servers with Smart Serve certification are needed to serve alcohol. Venue volunteers will collaborate with the venue co-ordinator to ensure attendees have a great experience, check passes for entry, handle patron questions and maintain a safe environment. Volunteer opportunities are available during the daytime, evening and on weekends. Apply at volunteer@gimlifilm.com or http://wfp.to/y0J by Sunday.
The Winnipeg Fringe Theatre Festival needs more than 700 volunteers to help make the annual event, which runs July 17 to July 28, a success. Fringe team members must be available for at least four shifts (about four to six hours each) over the 12-day festival. Duties range from selling tickets and ushering to helping at the Kids Fringe area. Volunteers ages 12 and older are invited to apply at volunteers@winnipegfringe.com or http://wfp.to/y0X by July 16.
Habitat for Humanity Manitoba is hosting a blitz build from Aug. 13 to Aug. 16. Fifty volunteers are needed per day for four consecutive days. Lunch and snacks are provided. Go to http://wfp.to/y0O for more information. Email Kelley Shuster at kshuster@habitat.mb.ca by July 29.
Riverview Health Centre needs volunteers for its Cycling Without Age program. Enjoy the great outdoors by cycling Riverview Health Centre residents around the community in a trishaw this summer. Volunteers should be responsible, able to make sound judgments, work independently and have strong communication skills. Volunteers must be able to ride the trishaw for 30 minutes and maintain confidentiality in accordance with Personal Health Information Act regulations. A friendly and cheerful nature and a positive attitude are essential. Volunteers must be 18 or older and available for daytime, evening or weekend shifts. A criminal record check is required, with costs reimbursed. Apply at http://wfp.to/yD0 by July 31.
The Manitoba Robot Games, a volunteer-led organization, supports an annual competition involving student robot builders. The committee also supports a program of robot-building workshops for youth groups and classes of school students. Volunteers are needed to lead and help with workshops. People are needed to help lead the organization, solder controllers, make contacts with schools, and assemble robot parts and kits. Apply to Herb Reynolds at herb@mbrobotgames.ca or 204-668-3315 by Sept. 1.
The Canadian Red Cross needs volunteers. The Red Cross can show you how to help when disaster strikes. Go to http://wfp.to/0pE, email volunteer@redcross.ca or call 1-844-818-2155.
The cabinet’s other 10 members include Winnipeg Jets chairman Mark Chipman, former premier Gary Doer and Canadian Medical Association president Joss Reimer.
“The team is just really good,” Pearson said. “I think it will be a positive campaign for our community.”
Like Burpee, Pearson has a connection to the downtown Y — she worked there as a personal trainer in the mid-90s.
When Pearson toured the facility prior to joining the campaign, she was struck by how much it has changed in the last three decades.
It used to be “more of a business person’s gym and now it’s a community centre,” she said.
The Y is a charity committed to ensuring no one is turned away because they can’t afford the membership fee, which attracted Pearson and Burpee to the cause.
“Making sure everyone had access to the Y — I learned that from a young age,” Burpee said. “Every opportunity and experience should be for everyone. I learned a lot about that from (my dad). Also, if there are barriers to someone or a family being able to access the Y, we should eliminate those. I learned that super early, too.”
The Y’s “ideal situation” is to raise $5 million each from the federal government, provincial government and local community, said Kevin Hunter, vice-president, philanthropy, engagement and impact.
He notes the campaign is launching at a time when downtown Ys in places like Calgary and Montreal have closed due to increased operating costs and slowing membership exacerbated by the pandemic.
The YMCA-YWCA of Winnipeg has decided “to essentially double down on the downtown Y,” Hunter said.
“I think that says a lot about the organization and (its) commitment to the community, and I can’t wait to see where this goes from here,” he said.
Construction is slated to begin 2025 with an anticipated completion in 2027, depending on how quickly funding is secured.
To learn more and to make a donation, visit ywinnipeg.ca/heartofthecitycampaign.
If you know a special volunteer, please contact aaron.epp@freepress.mb.ca.
Aaron Epp
Reporter
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Aaron Epp
Reporter
Aaron Epp reports on business for the Free Press. After freelancing for the paper for a decade, he joined the staff full-time in 2024. He was previously the associate editor at Canadian Mennonite. Read more about Aaron.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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