What is the Community Use & Access Program?
True North Sports & Entertainment Ltd., has created the Community Use & Access Program to ensure the MTS Centre's availablility for use by community groups for community events on an annual basis.
Who manages the Program?
True North Sports & Entertainment Limited's Community Use & Access Program manager works in conjunction with the Community Use and Access Committee has been established to ensure that the community benefit in a fair, consistent and transparent manner. The Community Use & Access Program staff will administer the CUAP on a day-to-day basis.
Who is eligible to apply?
Community Groups include non-profit organizations, groups, associations, or clubs, membership to which is open to the public at no charge or for a nominal charge. These groups must be organized for recreational, cultural, sport, fund-raising and other community-driven activities.
What is a Community Event?
A Community Event is a Community Group's use of the MTS Centre restricted to activities which do not involve professionally promoted entertainment, athletic or commercial events.
How do I apply?
Application forms are available at
True North Sports & Entertainment administrative office and on the MTS Centre website (
PDF /
Word DOC).
Only completed applications will be considered. Please make sure all applicable information has been provided.
All applications will receive written acknowledgment and will be notified immediately upon a formal decision by the Community Use & Access Committee.
How many Community Events can take place during one year?
45 Community Use & Access Program event dates will be allocated annually in two categories:
- Fifteen (15) No Cost Community Events, for which the Facility will not charge for rent, standard equipment, custodial, utility, security or other usual operating costs. There may be some costs that the Community Group will have to cover and should be considered when planning your event. Community Groups will be responsible for all third-party costs, including catering (i.e. Centreplate) equipment rentals, additional security or service personnel, auxiliary facility equipment and other costs directly associated with having your event at the MTS Centre.
- Thirty (30) Cost Recovery Community Events, for which the Facility will not charge a rental fee but will charge nominal fees. A number of costs should be considered when planning your event including but not limited to: catering (Centreplate), equipment rentals, staffing, facility equipment and other costs associated with having your event at the MTS Centre.
Once your event is accepted under the Community Use & Access Program it is preferred that it remains a part of the CUAP versus changing over to a commercial facility rental. Once your group has initiated the changeover process from a CUAP event to a facility rental and it has been recognized by True North Sports & Entertainment, it will not be reconsidered under the Community Use & Access Program.
What is the decision-making timeframe?
Applications are accepted anytime, however, may only be considered by the Community Use & Access Committee on a quarterly basis.
How will the Committee make their selections?
A preliminary ranking methodology has been established. The Community Use & Access Program staff will be responsible for the initial review of applications and to provide the Committee members with preliminary ranking and recommendations. Committee members will assess and consider each application according to the priorities and criteria. In addition, the applications will be ranked according to how well they meet the allocation priorities:
- Signature events with broad-based community impact.
- New activities not currently offered in the City of Winnipeg or the Province of Manitoba, with demonstrated need.
- Events which promote healthy living principles and positively influence the quality of life and wellbeing of Manitobans and their communities.
- Events which make a financial or in-kind contribution to the broader community.
- Fundraising events with significant outcomes, economic returns and community involvement.
- Events which focus on participation of youth.
In addition, events will be ranked on how well they meet the selection criteria:
- Mandate of the applicant's event
- Business planning
- Collaboration with similar organizations
- Accessibility of events for public participation
- Strengthening the community
- Nurturing individual and community pride, self-reliance and leadership
- Enhancing community knowledge and skills
- Fostering balanced, equitable and sustainable economic development
- Opportunity and utilization of volunteerism
Allocation of cost-recovery or no-cost event dates are at the discretion of the Committee and will be based on a mix of the ranking
priorities, criteria, and the Community Group's ability to pay.
What am I required to pay for?
Based on the criteria described above, the Committee may recommend your community event for either a no-cost or cost-recovery date.
What areas of the building are accessible?
All customary areas for event use of the MTS Centre are available based on your event requirements through the Community Use & Access Program. As Winnipeg's newest state-of-the-art sports and entertainment venue we have many configurations and a full range of services to offer that are sure to meet your needs - just let us know what your needs are and we will do our best to meet them.
Is my event date guaranteed?
It is in our interest to assist you in staging a successful event. Once you have requested a date and a secondary date for your event, we will confirm availability of the date. Approved holds will be entered into the MTS Centre's confidential booking calendar. Once your event has been approved and the usage terms agreed upon, a contract will be issued along with an invoice for deposit to guarantee your event.
Annually:
- 5 annual Community Event dates are not pre-emptible (these are event dates that may not be rescheduled in the case of a commercial conflict);
- 5 annual Community Event dates to be selected to be confirmed 90 days prior to the event date.
- 5 annual Community Event dates will be selected to be confirmed with an alternate date option at 120 days prior to the event date; in this case 60 days prior to the event, one of the two (primary or alternate date) shall be confirmed.
- 30 annual Community Event dates shall be confirmed 45 days prior to the event.
We will advised under which category your date has been awarded upon a formal decision by the Community Use & Access Committee.
Thank you for considering the MTS Centre for your event. We look forward to the next step, and hope to have the opportunity to work
with your organization in the future.
We would be interested in any comments or suggestions you have about the MTS Community Use & Access Program and process please send your feedback to
cuap@truenorth.mb.ca
