Manitoba NDP promise new Kelvin High School gym in direct appeal to Liberal voters

The Manitoba NDP are making a direct pitch to woo potential Liberal votersin the provincial election, including a promise of a new high school gym in a longtime Liberal stronghold.

"I want to speak directly to people who voted Liberal in the past," NDP Leader Wab Kinew said during a news conference at the Tuxedo Community Centre on Friday, one day before the start of advancevoting.

"This election is going to be very close. Polls don't change governments, only voters can do that. And that's why we need everyone to get out and vote this year. If you voted Liberal in the past, this yearI'm asking for your support."

The same day, River Heights NDP candidate Mike Moroz announced that if elected, the party would build a second gym at Kelvin High School, a project cancelled by the Progressive Conservative government in 2017.

They would also add a new field and rubberized track facilities. It is expected to cost $10 million, the NDP said.

The school is in the River Heights constituency, which has been represented by Liberal MLAs since 1986, except for a five-year period starting in 1994 when the seat became vacant, and from 1995 to 1999 when it was held by Progressive Conservative Mike Radcliffe.

Current Liberal MLA Jon Gerrard has held the seat since 1999.

Moroz has been door-knocking for a year and a half. He's looking to take advantage of a potential collapse in support for the Manitoba Liberals, a party which has the backing of nine per cent of voters, recent Probe and Angus Reid polls suggests.

The Liberals issued a news release Friday calling out the NDP's "desperate pleasto voters" and said it was an admissionthe party can't win the election.

"You do not have to hold your nose to vote for Wab Kinew and the NDP to get rid of Heather Stefanson and
the PCs. You can vote Manitoba Liberal and stop them both," Liberal Leader Dougald Lamont said in the release.

Asked whether the promise of new athletic facilities for Kelvin High School posed a conflict of interest for Kinew because one of his sons is a student, he responded there was no conflict because the entire community would benefit, not just himself or his family.

Also, his son is set to graduate before the project would be completed.

"When the PCs cut the funding for the Kelvin gym, it was a real blow to families in River Heights. And really, Kelvin draws on students from across the city, because of their IB[International Baccalaureate] program," Kinew said.

"And so we're committed to making investments to ensure that everyone in the community can enjoy good sports and recreation there at Kelvin High School, especially the students and student athletes who go there."

A spokesperson for the PC campaign described the NDP promise as the latest in a series of "vote-buying projects" and noted, while ingovernment, they've promised $260 million for new schools, renovations and renewals this past summer.

PCs vow to help military veterans

Meanwhile, the Tories promised Friday to increase its funding commitment toward a project finding homes for military veterans.

Progressive Conservative Leader Heather Stefanson pledged $250,000 to make the20 tiny homes being built in Winnipeg'sTransconaneighbourhood energy-efficient. Theproject for veterans in need of affordable housing is being run by the Homes For Heroes Foundation.

The PCs committed$500,000 toward the project last year while in government.

Retired Canadianastronaut Chris Hadfield, who's speaking atafundraising dinner for the foundation on Friday, spoke in favour of the housing project, but didn't offer a perspectiveon the election campaign the PCs' commitment is incumbent upon.

As well, the PCs announced theywould commit $1 million annually toward an office that helps veterans access the resources they need.

The election is on Oct. 3.