‘It’s gone’: Community organization’s shed and trailer taken overnight

A community organization in Elmwood says its trailer and custom-built shed with donated items was stolen over the long weekend. Harrison Shin reports.

A community organization in Elmwood had an important piece of its community space taken away.

The Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation, located at 180 Poplar Avenue, operates the Chalmers Community Neighbourhood Lot at 243 Henderson Highway.

Leilani Villarba, executive director of the organization, said that a trailer and a shed went missing on Monday night.

“It is a unique shed; it’s built on a flatbed trailer. You won’t find any other shed like that; it’s not something you can just buy from a lot,” Villarba said.

“It was built for this corner, and it had a stage on it so that we could create opportunities for people to come, gather and perform, and keep their equipment in the shed.”

In addition to equipment, the shed also contained a cache of donations from community partners.

“Dykes on Bikes donated folding picnic tables—they were in the shed. Some planters, benches, seating, and equipment to maintain the grounds—that’s also gone,” Villarba said.

She said the shed was built with support from the City of Winnipeg, primarily from the late city councillor Jason Schreyer.

“It had a lot of meaning, because everything you see on this corner, it is because of Jason Schreyer,” Villarba said.

“We were going to build a commemorative space for him here, and that shed was part of the plan, but now it’s gone.”

Police confirmed to CTV News that the incident was reported on Tuesday morning and will be investigated as a commercial break-and-enter.

Villarba is hoping the trailer and the shed come back.

“There are sentimental reasons why that shed meant so much to us … having the shed taken from a property that is meant for the community—it’s kind of disheartening.”