Events & Initiatives

Upcoming Events

Community Feedback Event

September 12, 2026 11AM-1PM

Strathcona/Riddle Park

Join Councillor Cindy Gilroy and the SVRA for coffee and light refreshments as we continue listening to residents’ perspectives, concerns, and ideas for improving our neighbourhood.

Come by, share your thoughts, and help shape the future of our community!

Annual General Meeting & Community Feast

Fall 2026 - Exact day/time TBD

Centre for Spiritual Living (625 Spruce St)

We will be hosting our AGM, which will included a free catered meal by De Luca’s.

Past Events & Initiatives

On-Going

2023 to Present

Isaac Brock School (1265 Barratt Ave.)

Dozens of community members and students from Isaac Brock School have provided weekly watering and maintenance to the trees, shrubs, and gardens that have been added over the years at the school.

2026

Community Pantry Added to Community

August 10, 2026

Denson/Riddle Park

Check out our news features to learn about the initiative and how the pantry contributes to grassroots safety, drawing on insights and experiences from the four-year collaborative project with the University of Winnipeg:

https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/article/west-end-organization-combating-food-insecurity-with-new-community-pantry/

https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-111-up-to-speed/clip/16232133-new-community-food-pantry-west-end

https://www.winnipegsun.com/news/winnipeg/west-end-community-group-opens-pantry-at-denson-riddle-park/article_8bf7fdc9-d023-428c-8ead-d0c9a9952e87.html#comments-

SVRA Meet & Greet

July 23, 2026 7pm-9pm

Barnhammer Brewing Company (595 Wall St)

We met individuals from between Denson Place to Shurburn Street areas at Barnhammer to discuss opportunities to volunteer with the SVRA.

Park Amenities Added to Community

June 25, 2026

Denson/Riddle Park

Based on community feedback, we worked with the City of Winnipeg to install a bench, community poster board, and garbage bin in Denson/Riddle Park. These improvements created a more welcoming gathering space, increased access to community information, and helped keep the park cleaner.

SVRA Meet & Greet

July 23, 2026 7pm-9pm

Minto Athletic Grounds

We co-hosted a community meet-and-greet with MLA Lisa Naylor at her neighbourhood BBQ to connect with residents living between Denson Place and Sherburn Street. The event provided an opportunity to introduce the South Valour Residents Association, recruit new volunteers, and gather support and feedback as we work toward expanding the SVRA's boundaries west to Sherburn Street.

Tree Planting Demo and Spring Cleanup

May 30, 2026 11AM-4PM

Isaac Brock School (1265 Barratt Ave.)

Residents learned proper tree planting and care during Green Drop’s hands-on demonstration, enjoyed a free pizza lunch, and had the chance to win a 15-gallon tree in a raffle. Community members also helped clean up the neighbourhood, with all ages participating and equipment provided.

2025

Community Parks Brainstorming Event

November 29, 2025 12pm

Wall Street Slice (753 Wall St)

The SVRA and Councillor Cindy Gilroy hosted a brainstorming event to determine how we can enhance Denson/Riddle Park and Riddle/Strathcona Park.

Community Safety Toolbox Launch & Celebration

November 22, 2025 2pm-5pm

Barnhammer Brewing Company (595 Wall St)

The Safety Committee & the University of Winnipeg put together a toolbox from the 4-year research project we did together. This event was to celebrate this accomplishment.

Annual General Meeting & Community Feast

November 1, 2025 1pm-3pm

Centre for Spiritual Living (625 Spruce St)

We hosted our AGM, which included a free catered meal by De Luca’s.

SVRA Meet & Greet

October 18, 2025 3pm-5pm

Barnhammer Brewing Company (595 Wall St)

We met residents at Barnhammer to discuss about potentially volunteering with the SVRA.

Tree Planting Event and Tree Raffle with Free Warm Lunch - 31 Trees, 32 Shrubs, and Pollinator Garden Added

October 18, 2025 10am-1pm

Isaac Brock School (1265 Barratt Ave)

Made possible through a $10,000 Tree Canada grant supported by Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, over 60 volunteers came together at Isaac Brock School to plant trees, shrubs, and a new pollinator garden. In partnership with Isaac Brock School, Trees Winnipeg, and Green Drop, volunteers planted 31 trees, 32 shrubs, and created a habitat area to support pollinators and biodiversity.

The event brought residents, students, and community partners together to expand the neighbourhood tree canopy, increase access to green space, and create a healthier, more sustainable environment for future generations. A free warm lunch and tree raffle helped celebrate volunteer contributions and encourage continued community involvement in caring for the newly planted trees.

Love Notes Event

September 28, 2025 2pm-4pm

Barnhammer Brewing Company (595 Wall St)

We created supportive messages for the Love Notes Winnipeg mental health awareness campaign.

Orchard Planted in Community - 15 Trees Added

September 24, 2025

Denson/Riddle Park

Made possible through a $10,000 City of Winnipeg grant, Ten fruiting trees (apple and plum) and five shade trees were planted in Denson/Riddle Park. These additions increased the park's tree canopy, enhanced biodiversity, improved local food security by providing access to fresh fruit, and created a greener, more inviting space for residents to enjoy for years to come.

Monthly Saturday Meet-ups

Spring/Summer 2025

From May-September 2025, the SVRA hosted monthly meet-ups on the second Saturday of each month to foster connections within our neighbourhood.

Stargazing

August 28, 2025 8:00pm-9:30pm

Isaac Brock School (1265 Barratt Ave)

We looked through a telescope at the stars, learned all about the night sky at this fun all-ages event.

Free Outdoor Yoga

August 9, 2025 1:30pm-2:15pm

Isaac Brock School (1265 Barratt Ave)

We enjoyed a wonderful 45-minute beginner friendly outdoor yoga class with instructor Ivanka Watkin.

Green Drop Tree Planting Demo and Tree Raffle with Free Warm Lunch

May 24, 2025 11:00am-2:00pm

Isaac Brock School (1265 Barratt Ave)

Another successful greening event! Greendrop gave us lots of tips for planting and caring for trees and a lucky community member went home with a 15-gallon tree.

Community Clean-Up

April 26, 2025 1:00pm-4:00pm

Valour Community Centre Isaac Brock Site (715 Telfer St N)

We had a great turn-out with over 40 people in attendance! We had lots of fun beautifying the neighbourhood by coming together and cleaning the area.

2024

Community Art Project Unveiling, Annual General Meeting, & Community Feast

December 1, 2024 3:00PM-5:00PM

Centre for Spiritual Living (625 Spruce St)

We hosted our Annual General Meeting, which included a free catered meal by De Luca’s, hot cocoa, and children’s activities. During the event, we unveiled Gathering Light: Capturing Community, a community art project created in collaboration with Winnipeg artist Sarah Crawley through the Winnipeg Arts Council’s WITH ART program. The project included two photo-collage murals installed at the Valour Community Centre (715 Telfer St.) and a standalone trail plaque along the Omand’s Creek Greenway Trail.

The artwork reflected two years of neighbourhood and artistic exploration, featuring photographs captured by residents using pinhole cameras that were distributed throughout the community and displayed for approximately one year. By transforming residents’ unique perspectives into public artwork, the project celebrated local stories, strengthened neighbourhood pride, encouraged community connection, and created lasting landmarks for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Community Scavenger Hunt

October 5, 2024 2:00PM-4:00PM

Valour Community Centre Isaac Brock Site (715 Telfer St N)

We hosted a family-friendly community scavenger hunt that encouraged residents to explore the neighbourhood while working together to solve clues and complete challenges. The event brought neighbours together, fostered new connections, promoted physical activity, and helped strengthen participants' sense of belonging and familiarity with the community.

29 Boulevard Trees Added to Community

September 19, 2024

Made possible through a $20,000 City of Winnipeg grant, 29 boulevard trees were planted along Clifton Street between St. Matthew’s Avenue and Portage Avenue. This location was identified through the grant application process as areas that had experienced significant tree loss, helping to restore the neighbourhood tree canopy, improve streetscapes, and create greener, healthier public spaces for residents.

Garden Gathering

August 15, 2024 7:00PM-9:00PM

Unity Garden (999 Sargent Avenue)

We hosted a Garden Gathering where residents exchanged homegrown vegetables, seeds, and gardening tips with one another. The event encouraged local food sharing, built gardening knowledge, fostered connections among neighbours, and promoted food security and sustainable gardening practices within the community.

Harm Reduction Workshop

June 24, 2024 6:00PM-7:30PM

Valour Community Centre Isaac Brock Site (715 Telfer St N)

We hosted a harm reduction workshop led by Erica McNabb from the Manitoba Harm Reduction Network, who shared practical strategies for implementing harm reduction approaches and supporting community members who use substances. The workshop increased participants' knowledge and confidence, reduced stigma, and helped equip residents with tools to respond to substance use in a safer, more informed, and compassionate way.

Free Outdoor Yoga

July 6, 2024 2:00pm-3:00pm

Isaac Brock School (1265 Barratt Ave)

We enjoyed a wonderful 45-minute beginner friendly outdoor yoga class with instructor Hilde Gonzalez.

SVRA Meet & Greet

May 8, 2024 7:00pm-9:00pm

Barnhammer Brewing Company (595 Wall St)

We met residents at Barnhammer to discuss about potentially volunteering with the SVRA.

2023

Community Asset Mapping Activity, Annual General Meeting, & Community Feast

November 25, 2023 11:30pm-2:00pm

Valour Community Centre - Clifton Site (1315 Strathcona St)

We hosted our Annual General Meeting, which included a free catered meal provided by Feast Café Bistro. The event featured a community asset mapping activity conducted in collaboration with the Manitoba Research Council, with support from University of Winnipeg staff Dagen Perrott and Dr. Julie Chamberlain, Assistant Professor in Urban and Inner-City Studies. Residents worked together to identify existing neighbourhood strengths, resources, and opportunities for improvement, helping guide future community initiatives.

The activity strengthened connections between neighbours, highlighted local assets, and provided valuable insights into how the South Valour Residents Association could better support community needs and create positive neighbourhood change.

Tree Planting Event and Tree Raffle with Free Warm Lunch

October 14, 2023 10am-1pm

Isaac Brock School (1265 Barratt Ave)

Made possible thanks for a $10,000 Tree Canada grant, ~30 volunteers helped us plant 21 shade trees at Isaac Brock School.

30 Boulevard Trees Added to Community

September 27, 2023

Made possible through a $20,000 City of Winnipeg grant, 30 boulevard trees were planted along Spruce and Clifton Streets between St. Matthew’s Avenue and Ellice Avenue. These locations were identified through the grant application process as areas that had experienced significant tree loss, helping to restore the neighbourhood tree canopy, improve streetscapes, and create greener, healthier public spaces for residents.

Pinhole Camera Community Art Event

September 24, 2023 1:00PM-4:00PM

Omand’s Creek Greenway

As part of the Gathering Light: Capturing Community art project, Winnipeg artist Sarah Crawley guided residents in creating nature-inspired artwork using 45 pinhole cameras placed throughout the Omand’s Creek Greenway Trail. The event provided residents with an opportunity to explore their neighbourhood through a creative lens, encouraging community participation, artistic expression, and a deeper connection to the natural spaces around them.

Bike Tour of West End Art Pieces

August 21, 2023 7:00PM-8:30PM

As part of the Gathering Light: Capturing Community art project, residents participated in a guided bike tour organized with support from the Winnipeg Arts Council to explore local murals and community art installations throughout Winnipeg’s West End. The event encouraged residents to discover and celebrate neighbourhood creativity, learn about public art, and strengthen connections through a shared community experience.

Block Party

August 12, 2023 11:00AM-3:00PM

Valour Community Centre Isaac Brock Site (715 Telfer St N)

We hosted a neighbourhood Block Party featuring a wide range of activities for residents of all ages, including food, games, a bouncy castle, appearances from Spider-Man, Snow White, and Moana, freezies, karaoke, a makers market, silent auction, 50/50 draw, and more. The event brought neighbours together to celebrate the community, build new connections, support local creators and organizations, and create a welcoming space for residents to gather and enjoy time together.

Lumen Printing Community Art Event

September 24, 2023 1:00PM-4:00PM

Omand’s Creek Greenway

As part of the Gathering Light: Capturing Community art project, Winnipeg artist Sarah Crawley guided residents through the creation of nature-inspired artwork using the lumen printing technique at Omand’s Creek Greenway Trail. The hands-on workshop encouraged residents to explore creative expression, connect with the natural environment, and contribute to a community-led art project that celebrated local perspectives and shared experiences.

Community Clean-Up

May 13, 2023 1:00pm-4:00pm

Valour Community Centre Isaac Brock Site (715 Telfer St N)

We had a great turn-out with over 40 people in attendance! We had lots of fun beautifying the neighbourhood by coming together and cleaning the area.

Conversation About Community Safety

May 11, 2023 7:00PM-9:00PM

X-Cues' Cafe & Lounge (551 Sargent Avenue)

Dr. Julie Chamberlain, Assistant Professor in Urban and Inner-City Studies at the University of Winnipeg, and Stacy Cardigan-Smith, SVRA Chair (2020–2024), led a conversation focused on community safety, collaboration, and creating more inclusive approaches to neighbourhood challenges. The discussion explored anti-oppressive approaches to community engagement, encouraging residents to consider how collective action and collaboration can help build a safer, more connected, and supportive neighbourhood.

2022

Community Safety Discussion & Annual General Meeting

December 4, 2022 1:00pm-3:30pm

Valour Community Centre - Clifton Site (1315 Strathcona St)

We hosted a community safety discussion and Annual General Meeting that brought together approximately 40 residents to explore inclusive and caring approaches to neighbourhood safety. Through facilitated conversations, residents identified key priorities including strengthening social connections, expanding green spaces, increasing community outreach, supporting harm reduction, improving access to resources, and exploring non-police-based crisis responses.

The discussion resulted in 25 community-led action items focused on creating a safer, more connected neighbourhood, including tree planting, community cleanups, de-escalation training, public art, community walks, youth-focused events, and improved awareness of local supports. The feedback gathered helped guide future SVRA initiatives and partnerships aimed at building a more inclusive and resilient community.

Cyanotype Community Art Event

October 22 and 23, 2022

Valour Community Centre - Clifton Site (1315 Strathcona St)

As part of the Gathering Light: Capturing Community art project, Winnipeg artist Sarah Crawley guided residents through the creation of nature-inspired artwork using the cyanotype printing technique. The hands-on workshops provided an opportunity for residents to explore creative expression, learn a unique art process, and contribute to a community-led project that celebrated local experiences and connections.

Tree Planting Event

October 15, 2022

Isaac Brock School (1265 Barratt Ave)

The community came out and helped us plant 10 shade trees at Isaac Brock School.

Artist Talk With Sarah Crawley

October 12, 2022 7:00PM-8:PM

Valour Community Centre - Clifton Site (1315 Strathcona St)

As part of the Gathering Light: Capturing Community art project, Winnipeg artist Sarah Crawley shared her artistic background, creative approach, and vision for the project. The session provided residents with an opportunity to share their perspectives, experiences, and ideas, helping shape the direction of the multi-year community art initiative and ensuring the artwork reflected the voices and stories of the neighbourhood.

Tree Planting and Tree Maintenance Event

September 24, 2022 1:00PM-2:30PM

Isaac Brock School (1265 Barratt Ave)

Green Drop Tree Care gave us lots of tips for planting and caring for trees. One new tree was added to the school field and another existing tree had a Dutch Elm Disease injection treatment.

Block Party

August 13, 2022 11:00AM-3:00PM

Spruce Street from Barratt to Felix.

We hosted a neighbourhood Block Party featuring a wide range of activities for residents of all ages, including food, games, a bouncy castle, appearances from Spider-Man and Mirabel, freezies, a makers market, silent auction, 50/50 draw, and more. The event brought neighbours together to celebrate the community, build new connections, support local creators and organizations, and create a welcoming space for residents to gather and enjoy time together.

Community Survey Results Discussion

June 28, 2022 6:30PM-9:00PM

Valour Community Centre Isaac Brock Site (715 Telfer St N)

We shared the results of the 2021 community survey with residents, highlighting key priorities, interests, and opportunities identified through community feedback. The discussion helped ensure that future SVRA events, initiatives, and advocacy efforts were guided by resident input and reflected the needs and aspirations of the neighbourhood.

Community Clean-Up

May 5, 2022 1:00pm-4:00pm

Valour Community Centre Isaac Brock Site (715 Telfer St N)

We had a great turn-out with over 40 people in attendance! We had lots of fun beautifying the neighbourhood by coming together and cleaning the area.

SVRA Mission, Vision, and Values Created

April 2, 2022

Valour Community Centre Isaac Brock Site (715 Telfer St N)

Facilitated by Heather Block and informed by feedback from the 2021 community survey, residents came together to establish the SVRA’s mission, vision, and values. The session helped define the association’s strategic direction, ensuring future initiatives reflected community priorities and provided a shared foundation for ongoing neighbourhood engagement and growth.

Virtual Paint Night

February 10, 2022 6:00PM-8:00PM

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the SVRA hosted a virtual paint night that brought together approximately 60 participants from across the neighbourhood. The event provided a creative and accessible way for residents to connect, socialize, and build community despite the challenges of physical distancing.

2021

Annual General Meeting

November 28, 2021 2:00pm-4:00pm

Valour Community Centre - Clifton Site (1315 Strathcona St)

We hosted our first formal Annual General Meeting, bringing residents together to introduce the SVRA’s ongoing work and share preliminary results from the community survey conducted during the summer of 2021. The feedback gathered helped identify neighbourhood priorities, better understand residents’ interests and concerns, and inform the future direction of the association.

Community Survey

Summer 2021

Virtual

To help ensure future decision-making was informed by community priorities and resident perspectives, we conducted our first neighbourhood-wide survey during the summer of 2021. The survey received approximately 200–350 responses and provided valuable insights into residents’ priorities, concerns, and ideas for the future of the community.

Community Clean-Up

April 24 & 25 2021 11:00AM-3:00pm

Valour Community Centre Isaac Brock Site (715 Telfer St N)

We hosted our first community event as the SVRA with a COVID-19-era, socially distanced neighbourhood clean-up. The event provided an opportunity for residents to safely come together, improve local public spaces, and build connections while fostering a shared sense of pride and ownership in the community. During the event, we also began gathering community feedback to better understand what residents wanted to preserve, enhance, add, or avoid as the neighbourhood continued to grow and evolve.

2020

December 4, 2020

Virtual

The inaugural South Valour Residents Association (SVRA) Board was officially established, marking the formal beginning of the association’s governance and community-building efforts.

The founding board members were:

Chair - Stacy Cardigan-Smith

Vice-Chair - Kyle Wiebe

Secretary - Murry Leeder

Treasurer - Jasmine Rusu

Members at Large - Sebastian Hodder, Veda Koncan, Paul LaPorte, Liz Jackimec, and Rachel Andrushuk

This founding team provided the leadership and organizational foundation needed to establish the SVRA as a resident-led association focused on community engagement, neighbourhood improvements, and strengthening connections among neighbours.

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