Manitoba Government Invests $100,000 to Expand Affordable Year-Round Recreation in Winnipeg

Press Release

May 26, 2026

The Manitoba government is investing $100,000 through the From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL program to support the Winnipeg Trails Association’s GearBox project, a community-based initiative that expands access to year-round cycling and skiing opportunities, Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Glen Simard announced today.

“Every community deserves affordable ways to stay active and enjoy the outdoors year-round,” said Simard. “By supporting the great work of the Winnipeg Trails Association, we’re helping more people in Winnipeg access the incredible cycling and skiing opportunities our city has to offer. This investment ensures that families, youth, newcomers and people of all abilities can experience the joy of movement, build confidence and connect with their neighbourhoods in meaningful ways.”

With this investment, the organization will expand its reach, strengthen community partnerships and continue creating spaces where people can learn, play and thrive, the minister noted, adding that the GearBox project is an innovative, community‑driven initiative that expands access to independent recreation, active transportation and outdoor learning opportunities for people across Winnipeg.

“This investment supports a project that removes barriers, builds confidence and creates opportunities for all kinds of people, including those who may not otherwise have easy access to a few different important kinds of outdoor recreation or transportation,” said Anders Swanson, executive director, Winnipeg Trails Association. “The GearBox project brings pop-up storage to public spaces like schools and community centres, fills them with skis, bikes, trail building tools or gardening gear and opens it up to community programming. The idea is to make it easier for groups of people to get together, to plan outings, to plant new trees along trails, to ski, to explore their communities and to make the city more fun and sustainable.”

The investment will help the Winnipeg Trails Association continue its work improving the quality of Winnipeg’s infrastructure by sharing best practices, offering access to equipment and delivering programs that strengthen neighbourhoods. The organization’s projects range from bike repair and ski lending to tree planting, trail building, traffic calming initiatives and Indigenous language revitalization activities designed to make Winnipeg healthier, more connected and more inclusive.

The From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL program supports community renewal efforts, community capital projects and youth initiatives. Non-profit organizations, Northern Affairs community councils and municipalities can apply for funding. The program received a $1-million increase in Budget 2025. In 2025-26, the Manitoba government committed over $12.29 million to support 208 community development projects across Manitoba.

For more information on Winnipeg Trails Association, visit https://winnipegtrails.ca/.

To learn more about the From the Ground Up – Safe Healthy Communities for ALL program, visit: https://gov.mb.ca/grants/.

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For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: mgi@gov.mb.ca or 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

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