OUR STORY
Since 1984, The Bunker has existed for one reason: to create a safe, welcoming place where youth can be known, valued, and supported. Through seasons of growth, change, and challenge, our mission has remained the same - to meet youth where they are and walk with them toward a hopeful future. This is our story.
The Beginning
1984
The Bunker was founded in 1984 by a group of leaders from the Winkler Bergthaler Mennonite Church who recognized a growing need in the community. They envisioned a safe, welcoming place where youth could find friendship, mentoring, encouragement, and guidance.
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From the beginning, The Bunker was never meant to replace church youth groups. Instead, it was created as a place where any young person could belong, regardless of background or personal circumstances, and be treated with dignity, respect, and care.
Club 644
The original drop-in centre was named Club 644, located at 644 5th Street (now Del Rios Restaurant). Under the leadership of volunteer supervisor Jake Bergman, the space quickly became a hub for connection.
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The 2,700-square-foot centre featured pool and ping-pong tables, arcade games, and quieter areas for conversation and mentorship. It was a simple space, but one filled with life, conversation, and community.
1984 - 1988
Growth & a New Home
1989 - 1992
In 1989, J.C. Peters became the first full-time Executive Director. The following year, the centre relocated to 324 Main Street (now the Winkler Co-op parking lot) and was renamed the Winkler Youth Centre.
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This move marked a season of growth and increasing visibility in the community.
Solid Rock Cafe
Perry Neufeld stepped into the role of Executive Director in 1993. In 1996, the centre moved again, this time to 367-4th Street, a 4,000-square-foot space formerly occupied by D.A. Loewen Electric.
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With the move came a new name: Solid Rock Café. The centre now included multiple pool tables, foosball, a canteen, a concert stage, and arcade games, becoming a vibrant gathering place for youth.
1993 - 1997
Becoming The Bunker
1998 - 2004
In 1998, Gord Penner became Executive Director, and the name Bunker Youth Ministries was introduced (officially registered in 2000).
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This era brought significant expansion:
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Ken Hildebrand joined staff in 1999
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Mark and Andrew Janzen joined in 2000
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A recording studio was built
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A 4,000-square-foot indoor skate park opened in late 2000
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An outdoor skate park, Ground Zero, launched in 2001
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These initiatives created new ways for youth to express creativity, build skills, and connect.
A Challenging Season & Renewal
In 2005, financial challenges led to a temporary closure of the drop-in centre. That fall, The Bunker reopened under new leadership with Rob Haslem as Executive Director and Rita Peters as Girls Ministry Director.
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Bob Wall joined in 2006 as Program Director. During this period, the outdoor skate park was closed, and focus shifted toward sustainability and rebuilding.
2005 - 2007
New Leadership & Vision
2008 - 2011
In 2008, Kevin Hildebrand stepped into the role of Executive Director, with Don Cruickshank as Program Director.
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Technology replaced arcade games, reflecting changing youth culture, and the ministry continued to adapt while staying true to its mission.
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In 2010, a new vision emerged: mission trips. In 2011, the first team traveled to Fajardo, Puerto Rico, partnering with Iglesia Bautista Hermanos de Fajardo to help build a youth drop-in centre. In 2015, the centre was completed and named “The Bunker” (La Fortaleza) in honour of the partnership.
A Permanent Home & Expanding Ministries
In 2012, The Bunker moved into its current home at 545 Industrial Drive, an 8,000-square-foot facility.
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New additions included:
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An upgraded canteen
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A half-court gym for basketball and floor hockey
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A larger stage and improved sound system
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Jeff Boschmann joined as Events Director, followed by Elden Shore as Ministry Director in 2015. Alycia Hildebrand joined part-time as Girls Ministry Director and became full-time in 2016.
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During this time, The Bunker also launched food services, providing catering and BBQs as both a revenue stream and an opportunity to involve youth in meaningful work while building positive community connections.
2012 - 2016
Expansion & Food Services
2017 - 2019
In 2017, The Bunker completed a major 1,600-square-foot expansion and committed to growing its food services by building a 20-foot food concession trailer.
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Harold Espinosa became Ministry Director in 2018 after more than a decade of volunteer involvement.
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By spring 2019, the food trailer passed all inspections and officially launched, significantly increasing catering capacity and impact across the region.
Leadership Transitions
In 2022, Mike Libby joined staff after interning with the food services team and took on the role of Ministry Director. Harold transitioned to focus on Sixteen13 Ministry while continuing to lead Tuesday night programs.
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With Mike overseeing all programs, Alycia shifted into managing building operations, food services, and summer interns.
2020 - 2022
New Ventures & New Roles
2023-2025
In January 2023, plans began for a brick-and-mortar restaurant connected to The Bunker in the former Central Station building.
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The restaurant opened for takeout in September 2024, but after six weeks, the decision was made to pause restaurant operations and refocus fully on catering. This season included difficult transitions, including saying goodbye to longtime staff member Alycia.
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In summer 2024, Hailey joined as Full-Time Girls Ministry Director for a season, leading bi-weekly girls programming and supporting overall ministry and event planning.
Same Heart, Still Moving Forward
Through every move, renovation, leadership change, and new venture, one thing has never changed: our purpose.
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Just as the founders believed in 1984, we believe today that youth in this community need a place where they are seen, valued, and loved for who they are. A place where someone will walk with them through life’s challenges and encourage positive choices and growth.
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We don’t know exactly how the next chapters will unfold — but we do know this:
The youth of Winkler will always be at the heart of The Bunker.
TODAY
WHAT WE BELIEVE
Our core mandate
The Bunker Youth Ministry is a community supported youth drop in centre for any and all youth ages 13 – early 20’s.  We offer a casual environment for youth to come to hang out with friends, shoot pool, play floor hockey, basketball, or a variety of video games.  We also periodically partake in special after school and day trip activities such as laser tag, hockey/baseball games, and trips to Winnipeg.  Our mission and purpose is to provide ALL youth with the opportunity to have access to a safe place where volunteers and staff will be available to walk with them through the great days in life, or through whatever struggles and challenges they face.  We are here to support, encourage, mentor and advocate from them.  Since we are not professional counsellors, we do not provide counselling, but we are able to provide guidance and assistance for those who do seek such services.  We are also here to provide them with direction and recommendations for any other youth related professional services. ​
Faith focussed
The Bunker exists out of God’s call for us to Reach Out, Speak Out, and Stand Out, in Jesus name for young people.  We do this by providing a place where young people can be loved through intentional relationships with volunteers, observably shown God’s love through ministries and activities, and purposely challenged in the Christian faith.  We strive to develop and equip youth and young adults, willing to go out into the world, locally and abroad, to spread the love of Jesus and His invitation for salvation.  In everything we do, we need to be looking for opportunities to display our lives as living words from the Bible.  In all that we do, others should immediately and clearly be able to see that we are different.  In noting these differences, it is hoped that we will be given the opportunity to present the love and grace of Jesus Christ, and the benefits of having a relationship with God.
Spreading love
We want to provide a place where young men and women will be loved through intentional relationships with volunteers and staff, observably shown God’s love through ministries and activities, and purposefully challenged in the Christian faith. We desire for young men and women to not simply know about God, but to deeply fall in love with Him. As they do so, we desire to help connect them to the larger body of Christ. The intent, is to help them continue to grow, even after they stop coming to The Bunker. ​ Proverbs 27:17   Philippians 2:3-8   Matthew 25:40   Luke 16:10-12 ​ ​