Upgrades improve Onanole Rec Centre

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This article was published 05/10/2023 (975 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Known by some as the “Jewel of Onanole,” the Onanole Rec Centre is the hub of the community when it comes to hosting events like weddings and reunions, or attending or taking part in sporting events.

Onanole, located 95 kilometres north of Brandon in Riding Mountain National Park, boasts a population of around 1,600, and the rec centre is the centre of the busy community.

Murray Blight, chairperson of the rec centre committee, said recent upgrades and renovations to the facility have made it an even more in-demand location for countless community activities.

“The hall can accommodate weddings, celebrations, birthdays,” he said.

Funding for the upgrades came from Onanole Rec Centre’s capital campaign and various grants, to the tune of $1.6 million, Blight said.

“There was different levels of sponsorship or donations, and it was well received, from corporations and donations of certain amounts of money.”

The original building was erected in the 1950s, and no longer met the needs of the community.

Projects that have been completed so far include: new arena fans and vents; a roof, siding and insulation for the arena; fencing and dugouts, which make up the first phase of the new ball diamond; new hall flooring; and exterior staining.

“We were able to get a lot done and still have money in the capital campaign to pursue other ventures,” Blight said.

Upgrades that are planned for the future for the rec centre include installing LED lighting, fixing up the Zamboni room for the hockey rink, and trying to get new cement flooring in the area so that it can be used for other events as well.

“From spring to fall, it might be pickleball or ball hockey, whatever it may be,” Blight said. “And then we’ve got the outdoor facility for weddings.”

Jeff Janczyszyn, facilitator of the rec centre said, since he just started his job recently, a lot of the improvements to the centre were put into motion before he came onto the scene, but he’s been very impressed by the work he’s seen being done.

“We did new flooring in the hall, we did a covered deck outside for events, and new kitchen stuff,” Janczyszyn said.

Janczyszyn said the rec centre is an extremely important part of Onanole.

“It’s the central hub to get together as a community, whether it’s socials, weddings, suppers, or community events. We’ve had extremely generous donors keeping it alive,” he said.

The rec centre also serves as a great way for members of the community to keep healthy, from hosting sporting events to offering a modern gym.

“There are lots of gym members and workout equipment,” Janczyszyn said. “That seems really important too, because there are no gyms nearby like this one.”

Soon, the ice will be in at the rec centre for the start of a new hockey season. Other upcoming events include a fall art sale, a Christmas craft sale and other annual events.

Janczyszyn says Blight’s idea about upgrading the Zamboni room is a good one.

“In the back there’s a leaky floor, and it’s just long overdue for a facelift and new equipment, so that’s where we’re focusing our attention next,” he said.

The upgrades to the Zamboni room are being made with safety in mind, Janczyszyn added.

And while the kitchen has received a much-needed upgrade, Janczyszyn hopes that soon an ice machine and a dishwasher will be added to it.

“For all of the events, like weddings, the volunteers are washing the dishes by hand, which is a lot of work to do,” he said.

Janczyszyn said anyone interested in renting parts of the rec centre should do so as soon as they can, as half the hall’s bookings for next summer are already full.

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