COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

feature sponsored by

WINKLER SPECIAL OLYMPICS

The idea of holding The Special Olympics first entered the public mind in 1968 when Eunice Kennedy Shriver held the very first event at Soldier Field in Chicago. From there, engagement with the idea grew around the world to offer those with disabilities a chance to train, compete, and ultimately have a place to belong in the world of organized sports and recreation.

Sharon Dueck is the head coach of the Winkler Wizzards Special Olympics Club and has seen the tremendous benefits of the organization within the community over the last thirty three years. It’s an opportunity for people with disabilities to enjoy opportunities to have fun, compete, travel and most importantly, have a place to be accepted and build genuine friendships.

The first Special Olympics Club came to Winkler in 1986 through Sharon Dueck and Marlee Wiebe, with help from a group of young adults and high-school students who came together as the first coaches and volunteers. Sharon worked with special needs students in the school system and had always been passionate about seeing people with disabilities be given opportunities to reach their full potential. One day, when a letter came through the school from the head office of The Special Olympics, she took immediate interest. “I just saw the letterhead and asked if I could read that letter” said Sharon, who was consequently informed about a regional meeting that was coming up. She saw that this was a way to provide those people with disabilities who are no longer in school a place to participate in recreational activities, as at that time there was nothing designed for them. Sharon and Marlee recruited their friend groups and together started the Special Olympics Club. “The first year was a track and field program and a basic gym program” said Sharon. “Right off the bat we had between thirty to forty athletes sign up” With the dozen coaches who also signed up, the program gained immediate traction and the message was sent that there were many people in the community who were interested. “Since then, we’ve expanded to providing competitive opportunities in Track and Field, Bocce, Basketball, Snowshoeing and Baseball .” More recently, the Club has added Rhythmic Gymnastics within a recreational setting. The school division has provided the club with the Winkler Elementary School gym, along with its gym equipment for the last thirty three years. As a thank-you, the Club participates in a walk-a-thon fundraiser every spring, donating the proceeds to the school’s gym program.

“We’ve had strong community support” said Sharon, as parents of athletes took the initiative in raising funds for the program, along with Gateway Resources and local businesses continually helping out when there was a need. “To this day, if we ever need anything we just need to ask” said Sharon about the continued support the Club has received throughout their history, of which they are incredibly thankful for.

COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

More clubs would branch off or start in the community following suit including a Ten-Pin Bowling Club, and a Golf program, while other communities who have started clubs include Altona, Carman and Morden with varying sports being offered.

A core group of volunteers has helped lead the Winkler club from the beginning, including Sharon and her husband Don, Connie Driedger and Glenn and Anna Wieler, along with other volunteers, many who have been involved over the last decade. The core group has also passed on this love to their kids, as each of them now have kids of their own involved in helping lead the Club. “I always say that if you come in to volunteer, you should expect to stay a while, as people don’t want to leave” said Sharon, “They really enjoy spending time with our athletes.”

While Covid-19 has put a stop to current activities, they would normally run a gym night on Mondays out of Winkler Elementary School, a place to train for competitions, starting with the regional event, then moving up to provincials, nationals and finally the international stage. While competitions are held each year, there is a summer games held every four years which serves as the qualifying round to move up to the national games. “We’ve had numerous athletes that have competed nationally and internationally with success.”

For many athletes, the freedom of not having to keep up or fit in with others makes the events extra special, as it is a place where they can simply be themselves, and be celebrated for who they are. “So many times’ we see the parents wiping tears because their kids are being successful” said Sharon “The love at those events is very real.”

The Club is looking forward to meeting again when possible, even if it is only in a casual setting to play Bocce or Baseball in the summer. Parents interested in seeing if the Club would be a fit for their child are encouraged to come check it out when up and running and can reach Sharon at 204-362-1293 and can also visit their Facebook page under the name Winkler Wizzards.

If you would like to make a donation, please vist specialolympics.mb.ca for details.

WORD

REBECCA DYCK editor

Spring is here...no it’s not… oh, wait, here it comes again! No one is surprised with these Manitoba-like fluctuations, we take it as it comes and just make the best of it. The same can be said about life in general, really, we take it as it comes and cross each bridge as we get to it.

I think a connection can be made between the season of spring and the current world “situation” we are in right now. It feels as though it is a time of “the in-between”, almost as if we are suspended in mid air, anticipating, waiting for the season to change. For many, this time can be really uncomfortable. We wait for rain, and we wait for change, both are needed to move forward but both are beyond our control. Although it may be out of our control, we are not helpless, there is work to be done in the in-between.

In this season, we prepare for the seasons ahead. If the work isn’t put in now, there will be no crop to harvest. A farmer will relate to this in a very literal sense, but the rest of us can determine what this looks like in our own lives. Whether that may be our business life, our personal life, or our spiritual life, are we are putting in the work needed to grow, and taking the steps to improve?

Our hearts are still going out to the businesses struggling right now, to say that this is “an uncomfortable time” for them would be an understatement. Let’s continue to rally around them, supporting them in any way we can. Our local businesses are the backbone of our community and without them, we could not flourish.

As we head into our second year of this publication, we want to thank our readers and everyone who has reached out to us to let us know which stories they have been enjoying. Our goal for this magazine is to highlight the amazing work being done in the Pembina Valley, whether that is through our local businesses or our not-for-profit organizations, there is so much good being done in our community!

Alejandro Penner

design lead photography

Ryan Wall

writer

Tony Wall

graphic design

Mackenzie Friesen

photography

Ryan Bueckert

graphic design

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BUHLER ACTIVE LIVING CENTRE

Situated in the heart of Winkler’s downtown, stands the Buhler Active Living Centre, the fulfilment of a dream.

The need for an independent housing complex was necessary within the community. With this need recognized, the Buhler Active Living Centre became a reality. The vision was reached to provide our seniors a place where they could maintain their independence, and develop a sense of community; where relationships thrive, offering everything needed to live a safe and comfortable lifestyle, all in one building. The purpose was to create a community where relationships are built, and everyday life is shared. At the same time, it means freedom to live in your own home, while receiving the services needed to maintain a sense of purpose and independence.

A group was created in partnership with Manitoba Housing who helped with the cost of construction to keep suites within the building affordable. The goal was to work together with people looking for affordable suites at a lower cost as well as more spacious suites.

The Winkler Senior Centre was the original partner with BALC and offered the land required for the project. Meetings for the proposed plan were met with positive response from the City and the surrounding communities. After several meetings, it quickly became apparent that the senior community required more than just housing. This is how the Not-for-Profit Buhler Active Living Centre was established. BALC is governed by a board of directors which consists of government, business, and community representation.

Buhler Active Living Centre is a meeting place for senior’s activities in Winker, which involves not only the community of Winkler, but also surrounding areas. This was made possible with the partnership of the Winkler Senior Centre. Walter and Linda Siemens were involved from the beginning of construction in 2014 to when BALC doors opened in June of 2016. With the resignations of Walter and Linda Siemens, Mike Chute was elected as Executive Director. After three and a half years, Mike Chute resigned as Executive Director providing the opportunity for Ryan Hildebrand to become BALC’s current Executive Director. The second floor of the Buhler Active Living Centre, in partnership with Silver Lining Care, has created a care community known as The Villages. The Buhler Active Living Centre is an independent living community and as an individual ages, the need for more personal care becomes essential. Silver Lining Care provides the essential 24/7 care to residents/tenants who are in need of this continual care. For those wanting more information regarding The Villages, you are able to request a consultation to assess your individual needs. With the necessary services provided by Silver Lining Care, the move from BALC to The Villages is a smoother transition which allows loved ones to remain in the same building and stay connected.

The Buhler Active Living Centre provides residential suites on floors 3 to 8. A variety of styles and sizes of suites are available to meet your individual needs. They offer spacious open-floor plans which includes the option of one or two-bedroom suites or one-bedroom suites with a den. The suites feature nine-foot ceilings, a complete kitchen, storage room and an individually controlled thermostat. Amenities included are garbage and recycling, meal credits to be used in Café 86, light housekeeping which includes laundry service. Each floor also offers complimentary laundry facilities. Underground parking is also available if required. Services such as utilities, insurance, maintenance, key-pad entry access, etc. are included in your monthly rent plan. Currently, BALC has available one bedroom and one bedroom plus den suites. These suites offer affordable housing options at its finest.

At the Buhler Active Living Centre, it is clear that they have achieved their goal in offering the very best options in order for people to thrive in the latter years of their life and retire in a comfortable community among friends. Come be a part of this integrated community today and discover the joy of having continual access to the things you love to do in a place where activities abound along with the assistance you need to maintain your independence for years to come.