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Winnipeg Free Press

Build it, and they will come

St. Vital West EndRivergrove Scott Templeton and Richie Jones are encouraging folks to explore the wonders of Lego — one brick at a time. Templeton and Jones are members of the Manitoba Lego Users Group, which will be holding an event called River City Brickfest at Grant Park Shopping Centre (1120 Grant Ave.). According to its website, the club — which currently has around 50 members — was founded in August of 2011 by four enthusiastic fans of Lego bricks. Since then, it has continued to grow and holds events in the community. Supplied photo Scott Templeton, pictured here with some of his Lego creations, is a member of the Manitoba Lego Users Group, which will be holding an event called River City Brickfest at Grant Park Shopping Centre on June 14. The event will be held on June 14 between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the mall's centre court, and visitors will have the chance to check out builds by club members, as well as build their own creations in a play area. There will also be the chance to win a Lego set. Templeton, who has been a group member for the last seven years, joined before the COVID-19 pandemic hit — something he said contributed to more people connecting, or reconnecting, with different hobbies and pastimes. 'When COVID happened, lots of people went back to their old hobbies and doing things like puzzles,' Templeton, a teacher at Bruce Middle School, said. Noting group members dub themselves AFOLs — adult fans of Lego — Templeton said the hobby fosters a collective connection. 'Lego has figured it out,' Templeton said. 'A cool thing about the group is that it unites us.' Templeton said different Lego builders are into different themes — some like space, some prefer castles, and some gravitate towards trains. His own Lego-building preferences include military history and aviation; something with 'historical significance.' In general, the list has no limits — like one's imagination. 'For me, it's about storytelling. The biggest thing I've built to date is the old Winnipeg Arena. I shared some photos if it, and it went viral. I love hockey, and I love the Jets, and I loved the feedback I received,' Templeton said. 'I try to build things with a story in mind that drive me. If you ask my fiancée, she'll probably say I have too much Lego,' he added, with a laugh. 'I have lots in the basement, and everyone has their own system of how they sort and display. It's about personal preference.' Manitoba Lego Users Group members meet in-person every couple of months, with virtual meetings in between. It's the second year the club has held Brickfest, Templeton said, and visitors can expect to see tables of displays featuring projects members are working on, and there will also be a contest where people can vote for their favourite creations. Club member Richie Jones said the time he spends working with Lego is a way for him to escape. 'I have a room where I can escape, and it's relaxing for me,' said Jones, a Rivergrove resident who is the groundskeeper at Shooters Family Golf Centre and Restaurant. 'I love coming up with ideas, and I very much enjoy how Lego has progressed.' Jones said he enjoys creating winter village Christmas scenes with Lego, and also enjoys working on old soccer field landscapes. 'Lego is definitely a huge interest for me. It's a hobby where I can create, and I can expand my mind,' Jones said. Mondays A weekly look at news and events that matter in your communities. 'My wife supports it 100 per cent,' he added, noting the therapeutic and calming qualities the hobby brings. 'If I need to clear my mind, I like to go into my Lego room and start building something.' Jones said club members previously met a Glenwood Community Centre for a long period of time, and their next meeting will be at Windsor Community Centre in July. Go online at for more information about the group. Visit for more event details. Simon FullerCommunity Journalist Simon Fuller is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. Email him at or call him at 204-697-7111. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.