FAQs
- new multi-purpose and meeting rooms
- a new kitchen
- improved viewing area for the swimming pool
- administrative space and shared program space for the St. James Assiniboia 55+ Centre
- improvements to the auditorium, building entry, and washrooms
- improvements to the parking lot
What improvements will the project include?
The project will include:
What is the project budget and timeline?
In July 2021, the Government of Canada, Province of Manitoba, and City of Winnipeg announced $14 million in funding for the St. James Civic Centre Expansion project. City Council approved an additional $3 million for the St. James Civic Centre Expansion in October 2023.
Construction is expected to start in winter 2024/25 and end in fall 2026.
Why wasn’t this work included during the previous renovation and facility closure?
Critical building code, mechanical, electrical, structural and accessibility upgrades, which began in 2020, were recently completed.
These were necessary upgrades that needed to occur to ensure the facility could remain open for years to come, independent of a facility expansion. The St. James Civic Centre Expansion project was contemplated and funded after work started; however, the recent upgrades will accommodate the facility’s expansion.
Recent upgrades to the facility included new mechanical and electrical systems, two new roofs, and a repaired concrete arena slab. The second floor was repurposed into a new mechanical and electrical room, and a new material lift was added to provide better access to storage areas in the basement. A fire suppression system was also installed throughout the facility.
The project also addressed accessibility requirements, per the City’s Accessibility Design Standards and the Accessibility for Manitobans Act. The lobby area was refreshed with a new accessible arena entrance, new accessible washrooms, and a new universal toilet room.
Will the facility be closed during construction?
Some areas will be temporarily closed during construction, while other areas will remain open to the public. The whole facility is expected to be closed only for short periods during construction. Details on closures will be available when a construction contractor is hired later this year. The City will work with the construction contractor to minimize closures and impacts to programs during the renovation and expansion.