A new intergenerational centre is coming to Winnipeg’s Linden Ridge neighbourhood, bringing children, older adults and families together at the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre campus.
The governments of Canada and Manitoba, along with the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, announced support for the Gray Family Centre, a roughly 20,650-square-foot addition planned for 1 Falcon Ridge Dr.
The centre will include the Faye Vickar Lazer Early Learning Centre, a multi-purpose gathering space for community programming and worship, a grand gallery and a wellness centre.
The project is designed to create more opportunities for different generations to connect and learn from one another.
Construction is expected to begin this fall, with completion anticipated by summer 2028.
Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt said the centre will help create those opportunities within the community.
152 new child-care spaces
The Faye Vickar Lazer Early Learning Centre will be operated by the Rady Jewish Community Centre and will add 152 licensed child-care spaces.
The spaces will serve infants, preschoolers, nursery-aged children and school-aged children. The program will be open to all eligible families.
The new early learning centre will be part of the broader Gray Family Centre, which is being developed at the existing Simkin Centre campus.
The Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre is a 200-bed personal care home providing resident-focused care and support services connected to Winnipeg’s Jewish community.
Laurie Cerqueti, CEO of the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre, said bringing children, families and other community members onto the campus will create new opportunities for residents.
“This is about creating a place where generations can truly become part of one another’s lives,” Cerqueti said.
She said the interaction can provide residents with opportunities for connection, purpose and joy.
Funding and construction
The project is receiving $4.5 million in capital funding from the governments of Canada and Manitoba through the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
The remainder of the project will be funded through philanthropic donations and grants made to the Saul and Claribel Simkin Centre.