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Photos & Coordinates | Sources
Formerly within Charleswood, this Winnipeg site was part of post-Second World War housing development initiated under, and financed by, the Veterans’ Land Act (VLA) for eligible servicemen. It encompassed 160 acres nestled between Roblin Boulevard (north), Harstone Road (east), Glenbush Street (south) and the property line between the residences along Scotswood Drive along with those on Vanscoy Road and Robindale Road (west).
Work began in 1946 and was based on architectural drawings of Herbert Henry Gatenby Moody and Robert E. “Bob” Moore, with the Bird Construction Company undertaking its physical manifestation. The Roblin Park name for the community was decided upon by Charleswood veterans around May 1946. A post office of the same Roblin Park name later operated within the community from July 1952 to November 1958.
Within the core of the subdevelopment, space was set aside for park and recreation grounds and a community centre, the latter for which an surplus army H-hut was sourced and purchased from a base at Portage la Prairie by early August 1948. To facilitate the relocation, it was cut in half and transported in two sections over road by J. Lowen of Steinbach, with the cost of the transfer and structure totalling $2,350. Once on site, it was re-assembled in a 120 feet long by 24 feet wide configuration and heavily renovated by local volunteer labour between late August and early October. The community centre housed a library, dance hall, club rooms, and a school for local children of primary-grade age.
Known as Roblin Park School, the temporary classroom space was rented from the club by the municipality and operated within the Charleswood School District No. 826. Classes began here on 30 August 1948, with the school remained operational for the next four years. The teachers of Roblin Park School were Margaret A. Young (Fall 1948 - Spring 1949, grades 1-2), Gwendolyn Alice Parker (Fall 1949 - Spring 1950, grades 1-2; Fall 1950 - Spring 1951, grades 1-3), and May Esther Dempsey (Fall 1951 - Spring 1952, grades 1-2). It became part of the Charleswood Consolidated School District No. 2327 in January 1951 and, upon the opening of Dieppe School in 1952, utilization of these quarters as a school came to an end.
The community centre structure itself was formally opened on 9 October 1948. Among those in attendance at the ceremonies were MLAs John McDowell and Ronald David Turner (RCAF and former President of Associated Community Clubs of Greater Winnipeg), Reeve John Holmes Cathcart, Reverends Maurice Poole, Philip Barker, Father Fitzgerald, and Roblin Park Community Club President Ken Davis.
The property surrounding the community centre structure is Marcy Beaucage Park, as named for Lloyd “Marcy” Beaucage — a volunteer (including grounds-keeper, ice maker, board member, etc.) at the Roblin Park Community Centre (RPCC) since 1988. Following a December 2016 petition from the RPCC Board, in February 2017 the City formally renamed the grounds to Marcy Beaucage Park to commemorate his contributions to the community.
Roblin Park Community Centre (September 2022)
Source: Nathan Kramer
Roblin Park Community Centre (October 2024)
Source: Nathan Kramer
Marcy Beaucage Park at the Roblin Park Community Centre (October 2024)
Source: Nathan KramerSite Location (lat/long): N49.85356, W97.28888
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Memorable Manitobans: Herbert Henry Gatenby Moody (1903-1991)
Memorable Manitobans: Robert E. “Bob” Moore (1909-1995)
Manitoba Business: Bird Woodall and Simpson Construction / Bird Construction Company
“3 Veterans’ villages are being built up,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 August 1945, page 3.
“Veterans’ holdings named Roblin Park,” Winnipeg Free Press, 21 May 1946, page 7.
“Wind rips shingles from Vet’s homes,” Winnipeg Tribune, 18 September 1946, page 25.
“Welshing on the Veteran,” Winnipeg Tribune, 18 October 1946, page 6.
“Roblin Park Centre seeking clubhouse,” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 March 1948, page 3.
“Roblin Park Community Club seeks more funds for work,” Winnipeg Free Press, 8 March 1948, page 3.
“New hall on way for community club,” Winnipeg Free Press, 20 August 1948, page 3.
“Roblin Park community hums with activity,” Winnipeg Free Press, 1 September 1948, page 3.
“Community Club opening oct. 9,” Winnipeg Free Press, 22 September 1948, page 26.
“Community hall opening planned,” Winnipeg Free Press, 5 October 1948, page 9.
“Roblin Park Community Centre meets Friday,” Winnipeg Free Press, 19 October 1948, page 3.
“Protest to School Board reported,” Winnipeg Free Press, 3 June 1949, page 31.
“VLA holdings held ‘new way of life’,” Winnipeg Tribune, 16 August 1949, page 11.
“Charleswood children back to school Monday,” Winnipeg Free Press, 27 August 1949, page 3.
“Roblin Park among winners of VLA communities contest,” Winnipeg Free Press, 12 October 1949, page 3.
“Whilst drive to help purchase school radio,” Winnipeg Tribune, 26 April 1950, page 13.
“Charleswood Board calls burglary tool case for school registrations going before jury,” Winnipeg Free Press, 20 June 1950, page 3.
Post Offices and Postmasters, Library and Archives Canada.
Geographic Names of Manitoba, Manitoba Conservation, 2000.
“Roblin Park - a mid-century modern Winnipeg subdivision,” by Randy Rostecki, 2013. [Winnipeg Architecture Foundation]
“Season goes to OT,” Winnipeg Free Press, 14 April 2013, page A6.
Assiniboia Community Committee Regular Meeting Minutes (Adopted) - 10 January 2017, Reports: Item 3 - Park renaming - Roblin Park Community Centre to "Marcy Beaucage Park", City of Winnipeg Clerk’s Department Decision Making Information System.
Standing Policy Committee on Community Services Regular Meeting Minutes (Adopted) - 6 February 2017, Reports: Item 2 - Park Renaming - Roblin Park Community Centre to "Marcy Beaucage Park", City of Winnipeg Clerk’s Department Decision Making Information System.
“Iceman in his element at Roblin Park Community Centre,” Winnipeg Free Press, 20 December 2020, pages A1-A2.
School division half-yearly attendance reports (E 0757), Archives of Manitoba.
Manitoba School Records Collection, Charleswood School District No. 826 (Roblin Park School) - Daily Registers, GR10356, Archives of Manitoba.
Manitoba School Records Collection, Charleswood Consolidated School District No. 2327 (Roblin Park School) - Daily Registers, GR10356, Archives of Manitoba.
We thank Gordon Goldsborough for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Nathan Kramer.
Page revised: 16 October 2024
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