2024 has been a transformative year for the vacant lot at 243 Henderson, the former site of a gas station, which had been sitting empty for two decades. After years of advocacy and hard work by the community, we celebrated the grand opening of the newly paved site, which now serves as a community corner with seating, modular stage platforms and flower boxes.

Over the summer, 243 Henderson was host to a wide variety of events and initiatives, from live music nights and Zumba to markets and garden towers to grow food for the community. Groups that took advantage of this new event space included Elmwood local businesses, Colombian Alliance in Manitoba, Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation and Glenelm Neighbourhood Association.

If you’re an Elmwood business interested in booking this space for free, please email rec@chalmersrenewal.org or call (204) 669-0750.

Above: Grant Simpson plays live piano accompaniment to a silent Buster Keaton film at the 243 Henderson community corner in August 2024.