Celebrating The Past, Embracing The Future

Dakota CC's History

The timeline below shows a some of the important events of the Dakota Community Centre. Enjoy this glimpse of the past.

2024
A New Community Space
The Dakota Event Hall Opens
A Modern & Fully Accessible Space

What was once the single open Great Hall now has the ability to be rented in multiple configurations with new movable walls and room sizes ranging from 1,200 - 4,500 sqft.

2023
Updates & Upgrades
Changing To Meet Community Needs
Storage Garage Complete

This much needed building is now home to our Jumpstart Rink ice resurfacer as well as the tractors, fuel and equipment needed to maintain our campus and the 32 playing fields in our catchment.

Ice Plant Upgrade

11 weeks of upgrades and repairs to the Ice Plant brought much needed efficiency and environmental improvements to ensure quality and reliability for many years to come.  

2018
Growth & Accessibility
A Rink for Everyone
Jumpstart Community Rink Opens

Canada's first fully accessible outdoor rink opens with support from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.

2017
30 Years of Dakota Community Centre
30th Anniversary Festivities begin with posters, banners and ads to announce the 30th Anniversary
October 12, 2017

A large grand opening celebration was held to celebrate 30 years in operation and the opening of the new Dakota Fieldhouse. Over 3000 people attended this event and enjoyed refreshment and a tour of the new Fieldhouse facility.

November 24, 2017

A funding announcement was made public for the "New JumpStart Community Rink" coming to Dakota Communicty Centre in spring 2018! The new outdoor rink will be a year round recreation facility featuring ice sports in the winter and beach volleyball during the summer. The rink will be designed for accessible options to include para-hockey/sledge athletes.

2016
Fieldhouse Construction
Construction begins on the Dakota Fieldhouse; completion expected in the Fall of 2017
Dakota launches new branding

Modernizing our logo and branding to reflect our growth.

 
Jonathan Toews Gives Back

Jonathan Toews donates $1,000,000 to the new Fieldhouse and takes a seat as the Honorary Chair of the Dakota Futures Campaign.

2015
An Exciting Future
Jonathan Toews returns to the Jonathan Toews Sportsplex to celebrate his 3rd Stanley Cup win in 5 years!
Rink Upgrades

North Rink undergoes complete refurbishment in June/July

New Leadership Takes The Helm

Michele Augert, long-time resident of St. Vital joins the Dakota Community Centre as its new CEO.

October

Community Open House to view final Fieldhouse designs.

November

Sod Turning for new Fieldhouse, Mayor Brian Bowman in attendance.

2014
Best In Winnipeg
Jonathan Toews Community Centre (Dakota) named ‘Best Community Centre in Winnipeg,’ by Canstar Community News
Keeping In Touch

Enewsletter launched to provide members with news and updates.

A Change In Name

Main building renamed “Jonathan Toews Sportsplex”, with the blessing of Jonathan and his family, The entire campus would revert to the name Dakota Community Centre.

2013
Dreaming Big
Multiplex Facility Proposal Shared with Community
February

New Fieldhouse project officially announced, funding commitments from the Province and City. Preliminary design and geotechnical study for Fieldhouse underway.

Another Stanley Cup Win!

Jonathan Toews returns to celebrate his 2nd Stanley Cup Win!

25 Years of Community Sales

Dakota Christmas Craft Sale celebrates 25 years.

Getting Fit Together

Dakota Fitness Programs is born.

It's A Sign!

New sign and digital reader board installed on Dakota St.

2012
Innovating & Improving
DCC Launches Seniors/Older Adult Program
Facility Upgrades

Motion sensor lighting installed. System to recycle waste heat from ice plant to heat water used for ice flooding installed.

In The Movies

Centre used as backdrop to film, “The Don Cherry Story 2”

Bringing The Community Together

Dakota 55+ Lazers Program is launched.

2010
The Year of Jonathan Toews
Jonathan Toews returns to Dakota with his first Stanley Cup and Olympic Gold Medal
Let's Celebrate!

A parade through South St.Vital, followed by a celebration at the DCC

Honoring Jonathan

Mayor Sam Katz announces at the Stanley Cup Celebration that DCC will be renamed the Jonathan Toews Community Centre

Learn More About The History of The Jonathan Toews Sportsplex

1997
New Rinks
Dakota Gets Bigger
Space for the Community to Grow

Upgrades to Dakota CC included 2 covered Ice Rinks and the Great Hall.

1992
Kids Love It Here
Over 1000 Children Registered

16 baseball teams, 16 softball teams, 5 T-ball teams, 16 soccer and 24 mini soccer teams.  In winter sports there were 420 boys and girls registered to play hockey

Saturday, May 20

First All-Night Bingo

1991
Outdoor Improvements
Sports Get a Boost

Dakota Community Centre received a $17,140 contribution in the form of new baseball diamonds and soccer fields.  Funds raised in a Qualico promotion, “diamonds are a kid’s best friend.”

1990
New Milestones
The Number of Registered Families Exceeded 1000
October

Grand Opening for the new addition of the building.

1989
Bigger & Better
Dakota CC Upgrades & Changes
Construction begins on Phase 2

Includes: gymnasium, expanded upstairs hall, activity room, common area, kitchen and canteen facilities, office and full basement

New Leadership

Lorraine Baisinger, elected President.

September

The Board voted to add black to the official club colors.

1987
Officially Incorporated
Dakota CC Starts to Take Shape
January 29, 1987

Official date of incorporation

Sports for Everyone

Soccer, t-ball, softball and adults slow-pitch teams established

Phase 1 Begins

Construction starts on the first phase of the Dakota Community Center. Facility includes: dressing rooms, mechanical room, washing facilities, activity area and sports equipment storage space

1986
Infrastructure Development
Starting to Build
New Programming

Launched first sports programs beginning with soccer

Establishing A Brand

The colors grey, white and red were chosen

Dakota Lazers

Team name is chosen – The “Dakota Lazers”

1985
A Name is Chosen
The name, “Dakota Community Centre” was chosen from 18 suggestions.

The winner took home a $50 prize!

1984
The Journey Begins
Public meeting to discuss a Recreation Group that would later form the Dakota Community Centre
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