Sports, Recreation and Leisure

The City of Winnipeg's publishes the Leisure Guide which outlines leisure activities and sports for the public.  Many people receive the Leisure Guide in their mail.  You can also pick up a copy at your local community centre,  For further information contact:

Community Services Dept.
City of Winnipeg
219 Provencher Blvd.
Winnipeg MB R2H 0G4
Phone: (204) 986-2663
Web Site: http://www.winnipeg.ca

Also see the Winnipeg phone book, under City of Winnipeg, Pools, to find Community Centres in your area

You can find sports, recreation and leisure activities in most communities.  You may have to pay for the use of the facilities, such as swimming pools (both indoor and outdoor), gymnasiums and campgrounds.

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Organizations

Volunteer Organizations

Many people in Canada offer their services as volunteers. This experience allows them to obtain Canadian work experience, meet people, and practice their English.  They also gain valuable Canadian work experience to add to their resume, as it shows they are involved with the community.

Volunteer opportunities are available throughout the province, in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, community organizations and many other places.  Volunteer opportunities are often listed in community newspapers or on Shaw TV, channel 11.

The Volunteer Centre of Winnipeg registers people who wish to volunteer their time to work on projects or fill temporary unpaid work positions.  For further information contact:

Volunteer Centre
410 – 5 Donald Street South
Winnipeg MB R3L 2T4
Phone: (204) 477-5180 / Toll Free 1-888-922-4545
Fax: 284-5200
Email: vcw@mts.net
Web Site: www.volunteerwinnipeg.mb.ca

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Religious Organizations

People in Canada have a right to practise their own religious faiths. Look in the Yellow Pages telephone book, under the heading Religious Organizations or Churches.

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Cultural Organizations

Look in the Yellow Pages phone book for cultural associations in Manitoba. You can find them under Associations, Organizations and Clubs.

Also see our web site at http://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/immigrate/multiculturalism/2.html for some information on Community Profiles in Manitoba.

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Winter in Manitoba

Winter in Manitoba usually lasts from November to March. You can enjoy the outdoors, participate in sports and outdoor activities and keep safe if you wear warm clothes.

Before going outside, check the weather conditions on the radio, call the Weather Information Service at 784-9000 ext. 6990 or check the weather station on TV. Extreme cold temperatures and wind chill can be dangerous. Wind chill is a number which shows the combination of wind and temperature. It tells you how quickly the cold will affect your body.

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Wind Chill Hazards

Check the wind chill before you go outdoors in the winter. Dress warmly for the winter weather. Even moderate wind chills can be dangerous if you are outside for a long time.

Wind chill is based on how the body loses heat and reacts to cold wind. You will see or hear these numbers on the weather forecast. If the wind chill factor is:

• -10 to – 24 It is uncomfortably cold outside. Outdoor work and travel is safe if properly dressed.
• - 25 to - 39 There is a risk of frostbite. Wear heavy outer clothing.
• - 40 to – 49 Uncovered skin will freeze in less than 10 minutes. Wear multiple layers of clothing.
• - 50 and colder Uncovered skin will freeze in less than two minutes. Wear face protection. Outdoor work or travel is not recommended.

Don't be frightened by the wind chill. It is simply a reminder to dress warmly. Here are some tips to keep you warm in winter:

• It is best to wear several layers of clothing or a warm sweater under your jacket to keep in your body heat.
• Wear long underwear to keep your legs warm.
• Wear a hat, scarf, and warm mittens (they are warmer than gloves).
• Wear boots with flat heels and a good grip on the soles to avoid slipping on icy sidewalks.
• Wear wool socks (or 2 pairs of other socks) inside your boots to avoid cold feet.

Dress your children warmly in the winter. They often don't notice if they are too cold. Children often get chapped lips, frostbite from exposed skin, frozen tongues (from licking cold metal) and hypothermia from staying outdoors too long.

You can enjoy many outdoor winter activities in Manitoba if you dress appropriately .

Activities such as cross-country and downhill skiing, hockey snow mobiling, ice skating and sleigh rides are popular in Manitoba. Indoor activities such as curling, swimming and many team sports are played at community arenas.

Many people use the winter months to try new indoor hobbies, such as painting, sewing and cooking. For more information on winter activities, contact the YMCA, Sport Manitoba, the local City of Winnipeg Community Services Department, local community clubs, or check the local newspapers for advertisements on community sports, social activities and hobby classes.

You can buy new or used sports equipment in Winnipeg. Local newspapers advertise sales for sports equipment. Community clubs sometimes have sales, where you buy and trade equipment. You can also find used sports equipment stores. Look in the Yellow Pages under Sporting Goods – Retail.

Ultraviolet Index

Environment Canada developed the UV Index to inform Canadians about the strength of the sun's UV (ultraviolet) rays. UV rays can cause sunburns, eye cataracts, skin aging and skin cancer. The higher the UV Index number, the stronger the sun's rays, and the greater the need to take precautions. The table below outlines the sun protection actions recommended at different levels of the UV Index.

Sun Protection Tips

Source: Environment Canada

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Links

• City of Winnipeg Web Site: http://www.winnipeg.ca
• Travel Manitoba Events Guide Web Site: http://www.travelmanitoba.com
• Manitoba Parks Web Site: http://www.manitobaparks.com
• Environment Canada Web Site: http://weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca

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