Winnipeg | Naawi-Oodena | Kapyong Barracks Redevelopment

[Rutlander]

Progress as of today.

[ColdRain&Snow]

Thanks for the pic!

[Rutlander]

[Wpg_Guy]

• Video Link

[Wpg_Guy]

• Video Link

[Wpg_Guy]

Treaty One Development Corporation has put forward an application to request $95,000 from the City to split the cost of a study for an arena development on block B of Naawi-Oodena.

The City of Winnipeg Public Service is recommending that the City Centre Community Committee deny a $95,000 application from the Treaty One Development Corporation. The funds, requested from the Land Dedication Reserve Fund ($85,000 from River Heights-Fort Garry Ward and $10,000 from Fort Rouge-East Fort Garry Ward), would support a study for the proposed Naawi-Oodena Twin Arena project. Staff concluded that the request does not meet Council-adopted criteria, as the fund is intended only for acquiring land, developing parks, or building/renovating actual recreation facilities — not for planning studies — and it fails to create a physical legacy. Approval would require Council to waive its own rules. The committee is scheduled to consider this application today in a scheduled special meeting.

• Application
• Evaluation
  
• Supporting Documentation

The project is a feasibility study for a new multi-ice sheet indoor arena complex at Naawi-Oodena, Block B, for the Treaty One Development Corporation. The proposed facility includes a main 6,000-seat arena suitable for professional or junior hockey teams, plus one or two community/practice rinks, supporting amenities, parking, and related site development. The study will confirm program needs (in consultation with Treaty One and the City of Winnipeg), develop conceptual designs and site layouts, assess servicing requirements (traffic, water, sewer, electrical, grading, etc.), identify risks and feasibility issues, and prepare a Class D cost estimate. The goal is to evaluate whether the project is viable and to support potential future capital contributions from the City. HTFC Planning & Design will lead the work with a team of architects, engineers, and cost consultants.

[Mr Tall Forehead]

Another couple of sheets of ice are definitely needed in SW Wpg. A facility like Seven Oaks on the site would be fantastic.

I’m not sure about the need for a 6000 seat arena though. The market can’t support another professional or major junior team.

[wags_in_the_peg]

6000 seat Junior hockey rink? who the heck gets that many to a game? there 2-3 in WHL who get that, vast majority gets under 3500. If we talking MJHL, majority get under 500. unless we talking about the Moose or WPHL playing there

[Wpg_Guy]

The committee has approved the funding, it will now proceed to council for a final vote.

• Video Link

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by wags_in_the_peg

6000 seat Junior hockey rink? who the heck gets that many to a game? there 2-3 in WHL who get that, vast majority gets under 3500. If we talking MJHL, majority get under 500. unless we talking about the Moose or WPHL playing there

6K does seem exceptionally large but there must be strategic reasons Treaty One Development Corporation has that capacity in their sights.

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by wags_in_the_peg

6000 seat Junior hockey rink? who the heck gets that many to a game? there 2-3 in WHL who get that, vast majority gets under 3500. If we talking MJHL, majority get under 500. unless we talking about the Moose or WPHL playing there

There was rumour about a possible ECHL expansion into our region - got that from a family member involved with the NHL.

[Mr Tall Forehead]

Originally Posted by FactaNV

There was rumour about a possible ECHL expansion into our region - got that from a family member involved with the NHL.

The Moose have been averaging less than 4K the past few years. An ECHL team would get significantly less than that after the first season novelty wears off and end up competing with Moose fans.

If anything, maybe they’re thinking of going after a WHL or USHL team, but again there’s only so many hockey fans to go around.

[borkborkbork]

Originally Posted by FactaNV

There was rumour about a possible ECHL expansion into our region - got that from a family member involved with the NHL.

Jets, Moose, Sea Bears, Goldeyes, Bombers. Can a city of ~800k support more than 5 professional sports franchises?

[Wpg_Guy]

Treaty One wants to score 6,000-seat arena in Winnipeg to draw pro or junior team
Jeff Keele
July 02, 2026


A First Nations group wants to build an arena as part of a massive development on the former Kapyong Barracks site in Winnipeg. (Jeff Keele/CTV News Winnipeg)

A First Nations group is eyeing a large arena for south Winnipeg to attract a new sports team.

The Treaty One Development Corporation is exploring the possibility of building a 6,000-seat arena at Taylor and Kenaston on the southeast section of Naawi-Oodena, the former Kapyong Barracks site.

“We really looked at what we could do to attract sports teams in any venture,” Cody Mercer, Treaty One’s chief development officer, told CTV News.


Plans could also see one or two community practice rinks where the city could rent ice, plus parking.

Mercer said the hope is to attract a professional or junior sports team to play here like the return of a Western Hockey League franchise or a National Lacrosse League expansion club.

“Lacrosse is a huge game to First Nations and that’s something we might look at, of course for the WHL you need to find a partner and see if that’s possible,” Mercer said.

Treaty One wants to partner with the city on a feasibility study which would include traffic impacts.


A city committee approved $95,000 towards a $128,000 study, but not for a 6,000-seat arena.

River Heights councillor John Orlikow said the city can’t put any money into this type of project because of a non-compete clause with the big players in town – True North Sports and Entertainment.

Orlikow said the study will only look at twin community rinks.

“You can’t build like a 6,000-seat arena with city money, so even a feasibility [study], which I thought was ridiculous, but that’s the way it is,” Orlikow said.

Orlikow said there will be an effort to get the non-compete clause waived.

CTV News reached out to True North for comment and is waiting for a response.

Mercer said if the large arena is not doable, they would still move ahead with a community arena plan. He said new sheets of ice would benefit Winnipeg as ice time is always in demand for hockey games, practices and skating.

“If it doesn’t work, we are still going to pursue two pleasure rinks at minimum, it might then translate to three pleasure rinks,” Mercer added.

CTV News Winnipeg

[inlp89]

Originally Posted by borkborkbork

Jets, Moose, Sea Bears, Goldeyes, Bombers. Can a city of ~800k support more than 5 professional sports franchises?

Maybe they're thinking the main tenant would be a NLL team. Lacrosse originated with Indigenous nations in Canada. Plus all the other uses a 10,000 seat arena could be used for ex. Disney on Ice, Monster Jam, Circuses,Comedy tours ,Esports tournaments, High school or university graduations, Trade shows, Political rallies, Religious gatherings.

Still have to compete with CLC and its various configs.

[lbnevs]

Originally Posted by inlp89

Maybe they're thinking the main tenant would be a NLL team. Lacrosse originated with Indigenous nations in Canada. Plus all the other uses a 10,000 seat arena could be used for ex. Disney on Ice, Monster Jam, Circuses,Comedy tours ,Esports tournaments, High school or university graduations, Trade shows, Political rallies, Religious gatherings.

Still have to compete with CLC and its various configs.

I wonder if the Manito Ahbee pow wow could be held there. Right now they have it at the CLC.

[pegcityboy]

With almost a million in the metro area and growing Winnipeg definitely could support a NLL Lacrosse team and it would be welcomed by the Indigenous Community being part of their heritage in sports . The Community rinks would be booked as South Winnipeg could absolutely use a couple more rinks .

[The Jabroni]

If Saskatchewan has a NLL team, then Winnipeg can support a NLL team.

Then we would have another rivalry here besides the Bombers/Riders rivalry.

[wags_in_the_peg]

Originally Posted by inlp89

Maybe they're thinking the main tenant would be a NLL team. Lacrosse originated with Indigenous nations in Canada. Plus all the other uses a 10,000 seat arena could be used for ex. Disney on Ice, Monster Jam, Circuses,Comedy tours ,Esports tournaments, High school or university graduations, Trade shows, Political rallies, Religious gatherings.

Still have to compete with CLC and its various configs.

NLL play 18 games a season, 9 home 9 away!!! make this a 3000 person rink with a 2nd rink then this all make more sense but absolutely no reason for a 6000 rink arena

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by wags_in_the_peg

NLL play 18 games a season, 9 home 9 away!!! make this a 3000 person rink with a 2nd rink then this all make more sense but absolutely no reason for a 6000 rink arena

Yeah - this seems like a solution looking for a problem. Could become an even bigger problem if its unprofitable.