Rural Recreation Summit

Hotel Information

There is a group booking made at the Lakeview Inn and Suites in Gimli, MB.

Contact the hotel directly at 204.642.8565 and mention the group: Rural Recreation Summit to receive your discounted rate.

Rooms must be reserved by September 14, 2025.

Session Descriptions & Speaker Bios

Land-Based Leadership: Cultivating Inclusive Recreation in Rural Settings

This interactive workshop offers insights into team building for rural recreation settings. Participants will explore both Indigenous and non- Indigenous methods for land-based education, focusing on practical team-building activities that intertwine culture, the history of the land, and movement. The session will also address the problematic and cultural dimensions of hazing and bullying in groups, sometimes used in team building models, particularly in sport. Furthermore, the workshop will focus on leadership and the unique challenges of smaller, seasonally rotating teams, providing strategies for fostering positive team dynamics. Be prepared for an engaging and experiential session that will get you moving! This session involves an active outdoor activity, please dress appropriately

Dr. Jay Johnson: Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management

Currently a professor in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management at the University of Manitoba, Dr. Jay Johnson was a former a middle and high school teacher. He is a social scientist who engages in critical sport, leisure, recreation and education studies. His works have been informed by his experiences as an athlete, former coach, parent and academic. One of the strengths of Dr. Johnson's work is that he connects with the community, not only educating about safe sport but also working with sport communities to find solutions while maintaining their desired outcome of team bonding. Additionally, he is investigating how physical educators in Manitoba incorporated land-based learning and teaching on the land into their curriculum during the pandemic, and how this shift impacted both well-being and curriculum development. He is also exploring how youth and families experience the built environment and engage with outdoor active well-being and land-based education. Furthermore, his community-based research examines the role of the bicycle, culture, and community in activism.

Dr. Brian Rice: Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management

Professor Dr. Brian Rice holds the position of Indigenous land based educator in the Department of Kinesiology and Recreation management at the University of Manitoba. He is also one of the first graduates of the Indigenous Knowledge and Recovery of Indigenous Mind doctoral programs developed by Dr. Apela Colorado in the 1990’s. Originally born in Buffalo New York, Dr. Rice is an enrolled member of the Indigenous Mohawk Nation at Kahnawaké Quebec, Canada. Besides being a teacher and an interim principal for four years in an Indigenous operated school, he has taught full time in the departments of Native Studies, Religious Studies, Continuing Education, and Education over a 30 year period. He continues teaching courses in Indigenous history and culture both national and global.

Managing Expectations & Working with Municipal Councils

This interactive workshop will explore how to open lines of communication between recreation staff, elected officials, and municipal CAOs. Wally and Darryl will discuss what councils need to know about the recreation work happening in their communities, as well as what CAOs want to understand. The session will emphasize the importance of clear communication, setting priorities, and establishing expectations before they are set for you.

Wally Melnyk: CAO, Town of Stonewall

Wally Melnyk has dedicated nearly 35 years to the field of municipal administration. He currently serves as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Town of Stonewall, following a 27-year tenure as CAO for the Town of Russell and the amalgamated Municipality of Russell Binscarth. A professional accountant, Wally earned his CPA designation in 1996. He is a strong advocate for giving back to the profession and demonstrates this commitment by instructing the Municipal Administration course within the Certificate in Manitoba Municipal Administration program. He also remains actively involved with the Manitoba Municipal Administrators’ Association, contributing through various volunteer roles, including the mentorship program.

Daryl Hrehirchuk: CAO, RM of Macdonald

Daryl Hrehirchuk is an experienced Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) with a strong background in municipal administration and planning. As the CAO for the Rural Municipality of Macdonald, Daryl oversees a significant operating budget and manages various capital projects, including a water treatment plant expansion and various community wastewater initiatives. Previously, Daryl held the CAO position with the Rural Municipality of Portage la Prairie, where he gained extensive experience in policy development and emergency coordination. Daryl’s municipal government career spans over 30 years. Daryl’s educational background includes a certificate in Municipal Administration from the University of Manitoba and certificates in National Advanced Certificate in Local Authority Administration (Levels I and II), and Applied Land Use Planning Certificate.

 

Navigating Boundaries: Balancing Professional & Personal Life

Join fellow recreation practitioners from across the province for an engaging panel discussion on maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Panelists will share practical strategies, lessons learned, and candid stories from their own experiences in the field. There will be ample time for questions and open conversation, offering participants a chance to exchange insights, challenges, and successful approaches unique to the recreation profession.

Caitlin Bailey: Director of Parks and Recreation, City of Flin Flon

Angie Shindle: General Manager, Portage Regional Recreation Authority

Brenna Philp: Director of Recreation and Leisure Services, RM of Gimli

David Little: Community Services Coordinator, RM of La Broquerie

 

Canadian Parks and Recreation Association

The Canadian Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) hosts an annual 'Day of Action on the Hill' in Ottawa this November. Laine Wilson, Manitoba's CPRA Representative, will lead a thoughtful discussion on the topics and stories that would create a strong case for recreation, its benefits, and the work of rural practitioners of Manitoba.

Laine Wilson, Rockwood-Stonewall Recreation Facilitator

 

The Changing Work Environment and the Benefits of Recreation - Keynote

What is going on in our communities and what does it mean to our work in recreation? Flo will present an overview of the changing work environment and how it is impacting recreation now and what it might mean in the future. Recreation has always been the "glue" that hold communities together while providing a wide range of known benefits, as well as some that are not as well known. In the coming years, it will be important for those working in recreation to understand the transitions taking place, be able to keep up with rapidly changing needs and find new and better ways to demonstrate and prove the value of recreation as a key to quality of life in our communities.

The Changing Work Environment and the Benefits of Recreation - Workshop Session

As our communities change so too must the organizations that serve them. This workshop will explore your perspectives about the main trends taking place in your communities. There will be an opportunity to discuss the implications of the trends along with some examples of success stories and lessons learned. Most of these trends mean change - and with change comes the need for focused planning, delivery, assessment and evaluation. We will dedicate the second half of the workshop to a practical approach for linking the four together using evaluation as a way to provide evidence of the value of recreation as our communities evolve.

Flo Frank: Managing Partner, Common Ground Consulting Inc.

Flo is an internationally recognized specialist in community engagement, partnerships, diversity and working with transition. She helps groups, organizations and governments get from where they are to where they want to be in order to be well positioned for the future. For the past 25 years Flo has worked with hundreds of recreation practitioners and communities across western Canada; has over 20 years experience providing program/policy design and training support to SK Parks and Rec. Association; and was an advisor to SK Association of Recreation Professionals. Flo helped provide a prairie perspective during the development of the Framework for Recreation in Canada, and for 4 years she was the senior consultant to Recreation North (a unique award-winning Certification Program for Recreation Practitioners). This work also involved developing an evaluation framework and training related to trends, data gathering and informed advocacy.

New to Canada: Importance of Recreation and Sport

This interactive workshop will highlight the importance of connection and collaboration as the key ingredients to successful programming for new Canadians. Presenters will share insights into designing and promoting opportunities for participants to join in community recreation and sport. Hear from Carolyn Trono, Founder of the Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy (WNSA) and Don Boddy, Small Centre Support Manager, Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations (MANSO), about cultural awareness, trust and the role that newcomer serving organizations can play in making your programs inclusive and successful

Carolyn Trono: Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy

Carolyn has an extensive background in sport as an athlete, a coach and a sport leader at all levels. In 2016, she recognized the gaps in getting newcomers connected to sport and physical activity in their new home. With tremendous support within various communities, Carolyn started the Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy that focuses on improving the well-being and belonging through resettlement, integration and inclusion initiatives through sport.

Don Boddy: Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations

Don lives, works and plays on Treaty One Territory in Portage la Prairie. He is the Manager of Small Centre Support with the Manitoba Association of Newcomer Serving Organizations, which means he supports rural organizations and communities that are involved in immigration, integration, and settlement work. He has been involved with sports as an athlete, coach and official for his entire life. He is passionate about sports as a tool for community integration and building bridges to each other and communities.

Recreation Manitoba Annual General Meeting

The AGM will be held after lunch at the Gimli Recreation Complex. Separate registration (RSVP) is required. Visit the AGM page for information about the meeting and the RSVP link.