Midweek check-in, Winnipeg! 💙

September’s moving quickly, and there’s a lot taking shape around Winnipeg right now.

Grab your coffee, and let’s get into it! ☕

Now, in today’s edition:

— Jas Singh

Winnipeg's first professional women's soccer team, a new $8.5 million stadium, and now, the person who'll help bring it all together.

Things are moving quickly as NSL Winnipeg gets ready for its 2027 debut.

Dayna Spiring has been named the team's first president, and there's a good chance you've heard her name around Winnipeg before.

That same year, Spiring also made history as the first woman to have her name engraved on the Grey Cup after the Bombers brought it home.

Now, she’ll help build the new club from the ground up alongside Olympian Desiree Scott and Rob Gale.

And the announcements aren't stopping here. Between now and kickoff, we're still waiting on the team name, logo, coaching staff and more.

For fans, this is also a rare chance to support women’s sports in Winnipeg from the very beginning and be part of a new chapter in our city’s sports history.

A $50 season ticket deposit gives fans early access to season tickets, with tickets starting as low as $20.

Click here: To secure your season ticket deposit and be part of Winnipeg sports history!

We all say we want to support local. But most nights, it's just easier to order in. And with the cold coming in, that's about to get even easier. Until now.

There's a new local community that's partnered with 20-plus Winnipeg businesses to make every dollar you spend locally worth double.

It's called Commonwealth Memberships. Fifty percent off, at places you already spend money: food, coffee, beauty, fitness and more.

Not a coupon here or there. A running list, and it keeps growing!

Here’s what the savings could look like. Say you go out for dinner and the bill comes to $100. With your membership, you pay $50 and save $50.

Since the annual plan works out to $20 a month, that one dinner saves you more than two months’ worth of membership. Use it once a month, and those savings can add up quickly.

That $20 rate won’t be around much longer. Join before October 1st, and you’ll keep paying the founding rate even after it rises to $30 for everyone else.

Small businesses make this city feel like home, the corner spot, the coffee shop that knows your order. So let's show up for them, and support them when it counts.

Your kids’ teddy bears have probably been on plenty of adventures…

But have they ever had an X-ray?

This Sunday, they can. The 37th annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic is back at Assiniboine Park from 9 AM to 4 PM, with pretend checkups, hands-on activities, live entertainment and plenty more for families.

The best part? It’s completely free to attend.

There are food trucks and snack tents around the park, or you can pack a picnic from home and make a full day of it.

The picnic also raises money for research that helps sick kids here in Manitoba. You can donate or grab a 50/50 ticket online, even if you can't make it out Sunday.

Just don't be surprised if a certain bear comes home in a cast and refuses to take it off.

Click here: To learn more about the picnic and plan your family’s day!

Think back to your first few weeks somewhere new. A new job, a new school, a new neighbourhood. Chances are one person made it easier, and they probably never heard a thank you for it.

Last week, Manitoba thanked 12 of them.

They were honoured at the second annual Manitoba Mosaic Awards, which recognize people, organizations and businesses helping build stronger communities across the province, whether that's supporting families, young people or newcomers.

Some mentor young people. Others help newcomer families settle in, bring cultures together or find ways to make their communities more welcoming.

Most of this work never makes the news. You probably know someone doing it too, and this might be a good week to thank them.

Click here: To meet all 12 community builders recognized this year!

Jets fans got their first look at Stuart Skinner at Canada Life Centre Monday night, and he gave them plenty to cheer about.

The new Jets goalie helped Winnipeg grab its first preseason win, beating Colorado 3-1.

After some of Skinner's saves, "STUUU" chants started ringing through Canada Life Centre.

As we're writing this, our Jets are getting ready for round two at home Tuesday night, and this one comes with a bit of a storyline. They're facing Edmonton, the team where Skinner started his NHL career.

It's only preseason, we know. But you don't usually get a storyline like that this early in the year, especially with a crowd that already has a chant ready for him. Here's to hoping the STUUUs kept going.

Click here: To see Tuesday night’s score and catch up on the latest Jets highlights!

This section includes only the major events happening soon. For a complete list of all events, you'll have to wait for future editions!

Events marked with (Tickets / $) require advance purchase. Double-check dates before heading out!

Thanks for reading The Winnipeg Digest! Let’s chat again on Friday!