La Riviere and community’s Blair Morrison Hall completes accessibility project

May 25, 2021

LA RIVIERE, Manitoba (May 25, 2021)—La Riviere & Community Recreation Association’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce that the access ramp at the rear door of Blair Morrison Hall has been installed. This is just in time to celebrate Manitoba Access Awareness Week May 30 to June 5, 2021.

The Accessibility for Manitobans Act (AMA) became law in December, 2013. This landmark legislation provided a proactive process to remove barriers affecting persons with disabilities and many other citizens, making Manitoba more inclusive for everyone.

The Board of Directors for La Riviere & Community Recreation Centre have been active in making improvements with regards to accessibility over the years. Some of the indoor projects have included visual fire/emergency exit lighting throughout the building and handicap stalls and handrails in the bathrooms. Outdoors a drop-off/pick-up zone with appropriate signage for easy identification has been created. As well, designated parking with appropriate signage has also been constructed. The main entrance doors to Blair Morrison Hall had power-operated doors installed. A portable ramp is now available for the front door of the La Riviere & Community Arena, which serves double duty for access from the roadway to the sidewalk and then into the arena. Now the another phase of accessibility to make it easier for individuals with a disability to get to and from the building has been completed. The rear door has had a ramp installed, and construction is almost complete with only the addition of a fill of gravel waiting at the end of the ramp.

Mike Pauls of Mike and Jeannette Pauls Riverside Construction of La Riviere was the man in charge of getting the job done. Using international. ADA Stair & Handrail Design Specifications, Mike designed, constructed and installed the new ramp. This ramp will allow for a second entrance to and egress from Blair Morrison Hall, which is especially important in case of fire.

The Board of Directors wishes to acknowledge that the ramps phase could not have been completed without the financial assistance of Pembina Manitou Area Foundation’s contribution in 2020. As well, Enbridge also played a large part when in 2020, their donation to the Raptor Festival was redirected with their consent due to the cancellation of the festival because of Covid-19 restrictions. We are thankful for these donations and know that the money was well spent to complete this portion of the accessibility project.

The Board of Directors continue to fundraise to keep the facility up to date and make improvements to access/egress doors and to meet new standards as they are issued. We are pleased to make our facility one that can be enjoyed by all Manitobans.

Ev Janzen is Chair of La Riviere & Community Recreation Association and can be contacted at 204-242-3272 for more information or to volunteer.