Neepawa Group Proposes Long-Term Plan for New Recreation Facility

Community Forum Held on Potential New Rec and Events Facility

It’s a topic that’s been discussed at town councils and board meetings across the region for months, but the first public forum on a potential new recreation and events facility was finally held on June 10.

The idea came after an operational and functional audit of the Yellowhead Centre, the community’s current arena and hall. One of the key recommendations was to create a long-term strategic plan to continue offering current services, given the age of the facility.

A committee was formed to explore the possibility of a new regional facility. It includes representatives from the town’s major recreational organizations—the arena, curling rink, and golf club—as well as members from the Town of Neepawa and four surrounding municipalities, all of whom have a shared interest in the project.

One of the first discussion points was the scope of the facility, as Neepawa’s growing and changing population has different needs than when the Yellowhead Centre was built nearly 50 years ago. Gymnastics now ranks as the community’s top youth sport based on registration numbers, followed by hockey, figure skating, basketball, and volleyball.

Four potential locations for a new facility were presented, with pros and cons outlined for each. Options ranged from a 4-acre serviced site within town limits—which may be too small—to a donated parcel on the town’s edge that lacks servicing but has room to expand. An informal poll was held to gauge the audience’s preference, though no final decisions have been made.

A multi-sport, multi-purpose facility would be a significant investment. Committee chair and Yellowhead Centre board chair Wayne Jacobsen emphasized that it's too early to discuss costs without knowing the full scope, but added, “The big numbers only get bigger if we don't do something today for tomorrow.”

Roughly 100 people attended the forum, and a unanimous show of hands confirmed support for the committee to continue exploring the project, regardless of what form it might eventually take.

Also this week, FilCan of Neepawa hosted its annual Filipino Heritage Month celebration, featuring a pageant, parade, competitive dances, music, food, and more. Representatives from each regional group in the local Filipino community spoke with NACTV about their presentations, which showcased the unique culture and history of their areas.

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction
2:34 – Grillin’ For Good
3:54 – Titans Fish Fry
4:44 – Filipino Heritage Month Regional Interviews
18:42 – Public Forum on New Rec Facility