News

Sept 7, 2024

SURPASSED THE $4 MILLION DOLLAR MARK!

With a lot of support from grants and the surrounding community we’ve now raised $4,017,428 and were able to move the thermometer up again. We also managed to decrease total costs for the building at the same time down to $4,666,075 leaving us with $648,647 left to raise.

Stay tuned for future updates as a few more large amounts are in the works!


July 18, 2024

Stride Credit Union – $50,000 Over 10 Years Sponsorship

From Stride Credit Union post: Supporting community is a core value for Stride Credit Union. This made getting involved with the Oakville Community Club an easy decision. We are proud, and very excited, to announce that Stride Credit Union will be supporting the Oakville Community Club with a ten-year, $50,000 sponsorship agreement and the naming rights to the “Stride Events Room”.

While the new building will be the hub of the community, we anticipate the Stride Events Room to be the hub of the building. We look forward to seeing many weddings, socials, family gatherings and other events take place in the Stride Events Room and are proud to be a part of this initiative in Oakville.

“The Oakville Community Club is very excited and grateful for the sponsorship from Stride. This facility will be a valuable resource for the community for generations and it wouldn’t be possible without this generous support from Stride.” -Eric Delong, Oakville Community Club board member.

According to Community Centre Renewal Committee chair, Dennis Galbraith, the completion of the new Community Centre in the village of Oakville is the culmination of 15 years of volunteer work including a feasibility study, fundraising, design, and construction. The new centre will replace the existing community hall which, after 75 years, has reached the end of its usable lifespan due to declining structural integrity. Designed to include the community’s first licenced childcare centre, the new building will be the center of community engagement for generations to come.

The new Community Centre in Oakville has been designed and constructed to meet the needs of a thriving 21st century community. Heated and cooled geothermally, the building will be shielded from ever increasing energy cost while having near zero green house gas emissions. Beyond all the social and recreational benefits, this building is also the community’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The 40-space childcare centre employing 8 staff is the community’s commitment to families and future community development.

“Stride Credit Union firmly believes in giving back to the communities that we serve. While our branch may no longer be located in Oakville, we still very much serve that community and want to support our members and the various initiatives that happen in these small towns. This is a huge boost to Oakville and its residents and we are thrilled to be a part of it.” -Brent Budz, CEO, Stride Credit Union.


May 15, 2024

IT HAS HAPPENED – WE HAVE THE OCCUPANCY PERMIT AND KEYS!

Years of hard work have been rewarded. We officially received our occupancy permit and keys today!

Pictured – Eric Delong on behalf of the Community Club and Shannon Strachan on behalf of Oakville Early Learning Centre received their respective key sets from Darren Bergen, project manager from LCL Construction.

Come see it for yourself at our open house on Saturday June 01st – anytime between 1pm and 5pm.


May 1, 2024

Open House – June 1 from 1 to 5pm – Everyone Welcome!

Come tour our brand new Community Centre and Early Learning Centre.

Come and go – June 1st from 1pm to 5pm


Apr 21, 2024

Fundraising Thermometer rises to $3.9 million!

Our fundraising thermometer went up this weekend! Construction is going well and we’ve made significant progress towards our financial goal. Now we are only about $800,000 shy of our fundraising target! We can do this, but need your help. If you can help us in any way, please use this link to the donation form – https://www.oakville-mb.ca/community-centre/


Apr 10, 2024

Cindy Curry – New Executive Director – OELC

OELC welcomes Cindy Curry to her new role as Executive Director


Apr 2, 2024

Homestead Co-op – $30,000 Donation

Homestead Co-op committed $30,000 towards Homestead Co-op Community Kitchen

We are pleased to announce Homestead Co-op has donated $30,000 to the development of the new Oakville Community Centre, with the Centre agreeing to name the kitchen of the new building the “Homestead Co-op Community Kitchen”. This donation solidifies Homestead Co-op’s dedication to fostering vibrant and inclusive community spaces.

About the Centre

The Oakville Community Centre project aims to provide a multifunctional hub where residents can gather, participate in recreational activities, and engage in various community events. This initiative aligns perfectly with Homestead Co-op’s core values, emphasizing the importance of community building and enhancing quality of life for all.

Enhancing Community Life

Trent Schidlowsky, General Manager at Homestead Co-op, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership and the positive impact it will have on the Oakville community: “At Homestead Co-op, we believe in the power of co-operative efforts and enhancing community life. The Oakville Community Centre will serve as a great place for social interaction, recreational pursuits, and childcare, enriching the lives of residents for generations. We are proud to support this endeavor and look forward to witnessing its transformative effects.”

“The Oakville Community Club is extremely excited to accept this donation from Homestead Co-op. Large projects like this aren’t feasible without strong support from businesses like Homestead. Oakville and the surrounding community will benefit from this facility for decades, thanks in large part to the support from local businesses. We are very appreciative of Homestead’s generosity,” stated Eric DeLong, President of the Oakville Community Club.

The donation was presented to the Oakville Community Centre development team on April 2, 2024, marking Homestead Co-op’s commitment to the project. Homestead Co-op encourages other businesses and community members to join in supporting the Oakville Community Centre, recognizing the collective impact that collaborative efforts can achieve in enhancing local amenities and fostering a strong sense of belonging.


Dec 13, 2023

Community Foundation of Portage and District – $35,000 Donation

Oakville Community Centre and Daycare received a $35,000 boost last week 🎉

‘As always, The Community Foundation of Portage & District is happy to assist the Oakville area with their endeavors. The grants committee was extremely impressed with the hard work and fundraising that has been put towards this project so far. Granting funds to this worthwhile project was an easy decision as it is a much needed facility that will be used by so many, not only from Oakville but the surrounding area as well. We wish them all the best on their final stretch to completion and look forward to visiting the venue in the future.’ – CFPD

‘The Oakville Community Club is very excited to announce a $35,000 grant from CFPD toward our new community centre. They’ve provided support for many of our initiatives and this is another example of how important they are to our community.’ Eric Delong – President – Oakville Community Club

Still time to make those year end donations that go towards your 2023 income tax! Charitable donation receipts will be mailed out in February!!

Click this link to donate: https://www.oakville-mb.ca/community-centre/


Nov 30, 2023

Shur-Gro Farm Services – $30,000 Donation

Today, Eric Delong, president of Oakville Community Club, is pleased to announce a significant donation to the ongoing construction of the new Community Centre/ Childcare Centre in Oakville. Ron Helwer, president of Shur-Gro Farm Services, presented the Community Club with the first cheque of his $30,000 commitment to the project fundraising campaign.

“We greatly appreciate Shur-Gro Farm Services support as we reach the mid way point of construction,” said Eric. In recognition of their support, we have agreed to name the central lobby of the new building the “Shur-Gro Farm Services Lobby”.

As we start the month of December, the Oakville Community Centre & Daycare would like to remind everyone that we do issue charitable donation tax receipts and you still have time to contribute towards your 2023 income tax!

Cheque presentation from Shur-Gro Farm Services
Photo includes (left to Right) Eric DeLong (President – Oakville Community Club), Ron Helwer (Owner Shur-Gro Farm Services), Lori Grant (Co-Manager Oakville Shur-Gro Farm Services), and Cody Brown (Co-manager Oakville Shur-Gro Farm Services).

Sept 26, 2023

Armwood Windows & Doors – $20,000 Donation

Donations continue to push Oakville Community Centre toward goal. Thank you Armwood Windows & Doors!

While inflation has been pushing Oakville away from its new community club project, local businesses have been helping to fill the gaps. The Oakville Community Club has received a $20,000 donation from Armwood Windows and Doors that was committed to our project before we started construction. Eric De Long, president of the club, says they were announcing that they had reached their funding goal just one year ago. Now, they’ve got quite a mountain to climb.

“We’re about $1 million short right now,” explains De Long. “There’s been a lot of inflation. We’re importing a lot of materials from the States, and the depreciation of the loonie to the US dollar hurt us. When we went out to tender, the lowest bid was substantially higher than what we expected.”

He adds that the new Oakville Community Club will act as a hub for the community to gather and a daycare. De Long notes the daycare will have 40 spaces, noting that most, if not all of the spots, have been spoken for. “We have a hall in the town right now, but it’s on its last legs,” says De Long. “We’re looking for a little bit more of a modern facility to host all of the events that the community likes to have. It’s been a long time coming.”

“Corporately, Armwood Windows & Doors is very happy to partner with the Oakville Community Club on this project. The community and surrounding area have supported our business for many years and it’s fitting to give back. Personally, I’m very proud to see this project take shape. Living in Oakville the majority of my life, I have many fond memories in the old Community Hall. I’m sure this new building will serve Oakville well for generations to come.” – Brent Otsuji – General Manager, Armwood Windows & Doors

Sept 10, 2023

RONA Building Centre – $50,000 donation

Don Voth & Wayne Klippenstein from Rona Building Centre, Portage la Prairie, presented Eric DeLong, representing Oakville Daycare & Community Centre with a cheque for $50,000 on Thursday!

“The ownership group of the RONA Building Centre in Portage is honored to be part of the exciting new Daycare and Community Centre being constructed in Oakville. We were approached five years ago by Dennis Galbraith for support on this project and we were very impressed with the concept and recognized what a huge benefit it would bring to the local community. Oakville residents and the surrounding community have always and continue to be very supportive and loyal to our business. It is because of the tremendous support we are able to give back to the community . We announced our commitment to this five years ago and it is very exciting to see the project become a reality! Congratulations Oakville! ” – Wayne Klippenstein, CEO Newton Enterprise (1983)

Newton Enterprises was one of the first businesses to get behind this project. It’s great to see long standing corporate support for our community. Just like every other project in Manitoba over the last few years, actual costs are higher than budget. We’re looking forward to additional corporate support to help us complete our goal.

Thank you Rona – for your support!


May 29, 2023

Construction has Started!!!

You may have noticed some big equipment last week on our site. Construction has started and it’s full steam ahead now!

We’ll keep you updated on here as it goes forward and add regular photos and drone video under the Community Centre/Daycare>Photos section. Check back often to watch the progress.


Feb 24, 2023

2022 Tax Receipts Mailed Out

The tax receipts for donations received in 2022 have been mailed out. Please keep an eye out for them.

Thank you to everyone who donated in 2022 and helped make this project a reality!


Jan 9, 2023

Request for Proposals Goes Out

The below Request for Proposals for the prequalification of General Contractors for an invited formal tender has been posted on two Manitoba construction websites. This will determine which companies are interested and the tender will follow in February. Submissions will be received until 12:00pm on Friday January 20, 2023.


Oct 21, 2022

Latest draft of Floor Plan & Site Map


Oct 14, 2022

Oakville New Childcare and Community Centre announces $2.02 MILLION in additional funding today! Construction starts Spring 2023. Total raised so far $3.5 million!

If you missed the exciting announcement meeting today – here’s the AMAZING NEWS: Federal and Provincial ELCC Provincial Daycare Construction Grant of $1.2 million dollars AND a private anonymous donation of $1 million dollars. Bringing our fundraising total to date to $3.52 million dollars. Construction WILL start in early spring 2023 with opening late 2023.

Download the News Releases below for more details.

Kam Blight – Reeve R.M. of Portage la Prairie, Eric DeLong – President Oakville Community Club, MLA Ian Wishart, Honorable Wayne Ewasko – Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning, Dennis Galbraith – Chair New Community Centre Project, Daniel Tully – Treasurer Oakville Community Club, Erin Galbraith – New Community Centre Project Committee member, Grace DeLong – Secretary Oakville Early Learning Centre , Karen Olafson – New Community Centre Project Committee member
Ian Wishart – MLA Portage la Prairie
Honorable Wayne Ewasko – Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning
Kam Blight – Reeve R.M. Portage la Prairie
Eric DeLong – President Oakville Community Club
Reeve Kam Blight, Minister Wayne Ewasko, MLA Ian Wishart, Dennis Galbraith – Chair New Community Centre Project
Updated Fundraising Thermometer

Oct 12, 2022

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT COMING FRI OCT 14 !!!

Time: 1:30 PM
Location: Oakville Community Hall

Federal & Provincial Ministers, print, radio and televised media all invited.

ALL WELCOME TO ATTEND. Please join us for this exciting announcement.


Sept 28, 2022

We’ve reached $1.5 million!

With the Table for 200 event and recent generous donation of $10,000 from Jim & Linda Burnett, we’ve now raised $1.5 million towards Oakville’s new Community Centre & Daycare. Thank you to everyone who’s donated so far.

Stay tuned for another big announcement coming soon!


June 6, 2022

Table for 200 was a great success! Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy the evening, and a HUGE thank you to everyone who organized and helped put on this wonderful event! If you would like more information, you can read the Portage Online article or see more event photos in the Photos section.


March 31, 2022

July 23, 2021

The Daycare & Community Centre Project achieved a major milestone today when it was announced that it would be receiving over $1 million in grant money from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. With the $1.4 million already raised and the $700,000 from the RM Bridge financing loan, we are only $500,000 away from our goal of starting construction in spring 2022.

Read the provincial or federal news releases, or you can download PDFs of the news release or background information.


July 23, 2021

WE NOW ACCEPT E-TRANSFERS. If this is your preferred method of donation, please send your e-transfer and completed donation form to oakvillecommunityclub@gmail.com. Donation forms can be found on the Community Centre/Daycare page.