Old Ex Renewal: Recreation and park improvements at Sergeant Tommy Prince Place

In 2018, we heard concerns about how the construction of the North District Police Station (NDPS) could impact outdoor recreation facilities and greenspace. To address these concerns, City Council approved  $14.1 million in capital funding ($5.9 million in 2021 and $8.2 million in 2023) through the Recreation and Library Facilities Investment Strategy. Within the project budget, $900,000 has been allocated to the redevelopment of the tennis courts and green space. 

The Old Ex Grounds are being redeveloped to provide improved services to the neighbourhoods of Dufferin, Burrows, and William Whyte. Two projects will improve the recreation and leisure facilities: outdoor recreation and greenspace improvements beside Sergeant Tommy Prince Place; and the redevelopment of the Old Ex Arena with a new multi-use recreation facility and offices for Winnipeg Aboriginal Sport Achievement Centre (WASAC).  

This project is funded in part by the Government of Manitoba.

Outdoor recreation and greenspace improvements

The outdoor recreation and sport courts at Sergeant Tommy Prince Place are at the end of their lifecycle. The tennis courts are in disrepair and the surrounding greenspace would benefit from enhancements to make the space more accessible, safe, and beautiful.  

We’re committed to improving this area and we have received some great ideas - basketball courts, pickleball, tennis, more seating, garden boxes or flowerbeds, playground equipment and paths are among the most common amenities identified by the community. 

Construction is anticipated to begin in 2025.

Old Ex Arena

The arena was decommissioned as an indoor arena in 2015. WASAC has been using the Old Ex Arena on a seasonal basis to provide recreational, sports, and educational programs to children in Winnipeg and from northern Canadian communities since 2010. WASAC’s offices are currently in a separate City building located on the Old Ex Grounds, but the building is in poor condition and will be removed during the construction of the North District Police Station.

The funding for the redevelopment of the Old Ex Arena is to:

1. construct new administrative offices for WASAC and the City of Winnipeg;
2. insulate and reconfigure the programming space so it is suitable for WASAC’s programs and more effectively serves the community; and
3. redevelop the northern half of the arena to support the operational needs of City recreations services.

The City is collaborating with WASAC on the design of offices, meeting spaces, and programming space. The initial planning and concept design work began in 2021, and construction is expected to begin in late 2024. The City is exploring renaming the facility, as a Welcoming Winnipeg initiative.