Two area projects are getting a helping hand thanks to Red River Mutual.
The Manitoba based insurance company has awarded a total of $36,000 to help restore community spaces in Ste. Rose du Lac and Winnipegosis as part of its community sponsorship initiative, Spruce Up Your Story.
Ste. Rose du Lac’s only full-sized basketball courts are set up for youth in the community to use, but they have no lights. With the funding of $18,000 from Red River Mutual, the community can install solar LED lighting, add player and spectator benches, paint court lines and complete landscaping at the site.
With demand to play minor baseball increasing in Winnipegosis, the town’s diamonds require upgrades to meet Baseball Manitoba’s safety standards.
Because many of the players already rely on subsidies to afford playing, Winnipegosis could not charge more registration fees to help pay for upgrades.
With $18,000 from Red River Mutual, they will be able to replace the dugouts and backstops, and redo the infield on both diamonds in town.
“We love seeing our kids so excited to play baseball and we want to be able to give them a safe place to play,” said Beth Rempel, secretary and registrar of Winnipegosis Minor Baseball.
“The fact that we can provide that without having to raise the cost for players is nothing short of life changing for these kids. We’re looking forward to many more years of playing ball and creating memories at the diamond.”
Every year, Red River Mutual calls on organizations across Manitoba and Saskatchewan to submit well-worn but well-loved recreation centres, community halls, parks and more for the chance to win up to $25,000 to rejuvenate the space.
Since 2020, Red River Mutual has awarded more than $750,000 to help revive more than 48 spaces. For its fifth anniversary this year, Spruce Up Your Story received 212 applicants.
“Supporting a community space goes beyond protecting its four walls,” said Brenda Gibson, president and chief executive officer of Red River Mutual.
“It’s about supporting the people who live in these communities, whose passion and resilience contribute to what makes these spaces so great to live, work and play in.”
