Klein would redirect money to fix derelict arenas

Rerouting funds slated for bike and walking paths to aging rinks is on mayoral candidate Kevin Klein’s radar.

“We have some arenas — and they seem to specifically be in the north end — that are not getting the attention they deserve,” Klein said.

“We have to spend the money wisely maintaining (arenas), because we don’t have the cash to rebuild them.”

Klein spoke to reporters Saturday after hearing the president of the River East Royal Knights had been locked out of his Terry Sawchuk Arena office.

The hockey club president had publicly criticized the city for its handling of the arena’s repairs: it is temporarily closed due to structural issues with its glulam beams.

The arena, at 901 Kimberley Ave., shuttered for six weeks last year as a glulam beam got fixed.

The West Kildonan Memorial Community Centre is also closed for the hockey season after failing an inspection.

Klein alleges the city isn’t using an $8 million fund meant for arena repairs. City council approved the fund in 2022.

City statistics showing how much of the fund has been spent wasn’t available by print deadline Saturday.

“What I would do differently is ensure that the money … is being spent on the projects that it is meant to be spent for,” Klein said.

The rink closures exemplify the “continuation of a managed decline of the city,” he added.

The $8 million should cover many rink maintenance projects, Klein said, but more money is needed.

The city’s proposed budget includes at least $60 million for a pedestrian and cycling program over the next six years. Klein said he’d seek to take “a little bit” of trail money for arenas.

“I’m not saying that they’re not important,” Klein said of the paths. “But it’s an allocation of resources that I think is important here.”

The city is spending its $8 million arena fund on upgrades, incumbent mayoral candidate Scott Gillingham said.

He’s promised a $60 million capital fund — to be cost-shared equally by all levels of government — for aging recreational hubs.

“If Mr. Klein is complaining about investments that are needed in recreation facilities and arenas across our city, then I would ask him — where would he cut?” Gillingham said.

Klein highlighted the St. James Civic Centre and the planned South Winnipeg Recreation Campus as sites receiving millions of dollars in recent years. He’d review the city’s investment in the nascent campus, he said, adding he believes the area needs a community centre.

He criticized the city for “bullying” the River East Royal Knights president. The president, Barry Bonni, told media the city should’ve done its repairs when the arena closed in 2025, but staff “dragged their feet” on inspections.

The hockey club’s home games are now cancelled, he told the Free Press last Thursday.

Gillingham said Saturday he’d just learned the president had been shut out.

“At first read, I don’t agree with what has happened here,” he said at the Manitoba Métis Federation’s national assembly.

Gillingham said he’d call the public service for an explanation.

The municipal election is Oct. 28.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com