Elmwood one step closer to losing community club

Shouting"sellout Sammy," angry Elmwood residents protested in front of Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz's office after his executive policy committee voted to close theKelvin Community Centre.

The 6-1 vote was not officially recorded but Katz said Old Kildonan Coun. Mike O'Shaughnessy was the one councillor who opposed the closure.

The committee concluded that the 57-year-old centrehad been poorly used in the past and was not worth upgrading. Instead, the city will devote more money to the nearby Bronx Community Club.

As well, Katz said, Kelvin's fields and a fieldhouse will still be available for use.

The decision must still be considered by city council in a meeting slated for later this month. If council ratified the decision, the centre will close within the next few months.

A group of residents who showed up to make a last-minute plea before the vote later gathered in the foyer and shouted "sellout Sammy" as the mayor headed for his office.

"The mayor assured me that the high-needs area would have his full attention and co-operation and commitment," John King told CBC News. "And I think today that we just saw that's hogwash."

As well, Elmwood Coun. Lillian Thomas argued with Katz about the decision, calling the executive policy committee "mindless, mincing minions."

Katz said that while he regrets disappointing the Elmwood residents, the city has to abide by its overall plan to amalgamate clubs and other recreation facilities, as set out in the 2004 public use facilities study.

And while residents rallied around the Kelvin facility in recent months, Katz added, the centre had a history of volunteer shortages — to the point in which the General Council of Winnipeg Community Centres has had to step in and help.

"It's happened many times before over a 10-year period," Katz said. "It wasn't until the decision came down from the GCWCC to close it, that's when people started rallying.

"And I appreciate it, and I respect that. But up until that point in time, for a full year, the GCWCC was running that facility."