Dear Whyte Ridge neighbours,
We’re writing with news we’ve been waiting to share. On Saturday, May 2nd at 10:00 am, a new free community library will open inside the Whyte Ridge Community Centre. We’d love for you to join us for a short opening ceremony, and we want to tell you how we got here.
The idea came from Hernan, a longtime Whyte Ridge resident and entrepreneur whose work spans several ventures, including BookFlip.ca and WinnipegBookLovers.com. This project wasn’t about any of his businesses. It was about the neighbourhood his family has called home for twenty-three years.
Hernan wanted to give something back to Whyte Ridge in a way that would last. A free library felt right: no fees, no membership, just an honour system where anyone can borrow, keep, or contribute a book. To get it started, he personally donated the first 600 books, with more to come in the months ahead. He brought the idea to the Whyte Ridge Community Centre, and we loved it.
A wonderful idea, but not an easy one to bring to life. A library needs shelves, brackets, and hardware, and all of it had to come from somewhere.
Hernan approached eight local businesses asking for help with materials. Seven said no. The eighth was Rona Southwest Winnipeg, and they said yes to all of it. Every shelf, every bracket, every piece of hardware on those walls was donated by their team. Without them, this library would still be an idea.
On opening day, you’ll find those 600 books on the shelves, ready for their next reader. The library will live inside the Community Centre for the long term. Take a book home. Bring it back when you’re done, or pass it to someone else. Drop off a novel you just finished so a neighbours can enjoy it. That’s the whole system.
Councillor Janice Lukes (Waverley West) has confirmed she will join us for the opening ceremony, and we’re grateful for her support. We’ll also be welcoming a representative from Rona Southwest Winnipeg, the team without whom none of this would exist.
This library belongs to Whyte Ridge. It’s a small reminder that this is a community that shows up for its people, and that good things happen when neighbours decide to build them together.
We hope to see you Saturday.
Warmly,
Kirill Pirgalin President, Whyte Ridge Community Centre
Hernan Popper Whyte Ridge resident, entrepreneur, and founder of BookFlip.ca and WinnipegBookLovers.com