Community centres in Winnipeg looking for updated plan to improve operations in the future

City council is taking a closer look at Winnipeg community centres and the model used to run them.

A new plan is being presented to city council to ensure the success of community centres throughout Winnipeg continues into the future.

Council’s executive policy committee is set to discuss a report on July 8 from the General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres (GCWCC), which is proposing a new governance board model as well as annual funding that would be used to hire staff.

The new proposal, called Plan 2045, would see the creation of governance boards that would be responsible for directing staff on operations at the facilities as well as programs.

The current model relies on volunteers to be on the board and help with the operational side of community centres.

The report highlights volunteer numbers for community centres have dropped by nearly half compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic – from 14,314 to 7,805.

“The community centre model was established in the 50s and 60s, when single income households and less busy lifestyles contributed to greater volunteer time and commitment,” the report reads. “Today, many community centres struggle to attract new volunteers and those already involved, have been for many years, with increasing demands in running and maintaining aging facilities, delivering programs and meeting administrative and financial accountability requirements.”

To implement this proposed governance change, the GCWCC is recommending an annual grant of $250,000, which would be used to hire staff, all while lessening the need for as many volunteers.

“It was also identified that clarity and formalized roles and responsibilities to improve governance are required. A key initiative to address this is the establishment of management agreements between the city and each community centre to ensure clear roles and responsibilities. This involves standardized agreements covering facility use, responsibilities of the city and community centre, and other key terms.”

Implementing the proposals in the plan would take time.

The plan notes four phases for implementation would take place, with the first phase – which is the governance review and reform – being done by 2027.

The GCWCC would report back to council in June 2027 with an update on how Plan 2045 is working and then provide guidance for the next budget.