Ryback grew up in St. James and lived in the area most of his life, choosing to become active in city politics and council in 2022. From an employment standpoint, Kelly had a successful corporate and community service career with leading organizations, where he was called upon to solve problems and provide solutions with an eye toward improving service, adding value and growing markets. Mixed within that busy period of his life of building his career and raising a family, he was 16 years as the personality inside the costume named “BUZZ” of Blue Bomber folklore.
Kelly Ryback was as much a part of the Winnipeg community as any one person. From Bomber games to community events to fairs, festivals and parades...the biggest cheers were always saved for that zany bird. He was able to meet hundreds of appearances while working his career full-time and raising his family. Ryback knows how to manage a demanding schedule and meet his commitments.
Ryback coached St. James-Assiniboia minor hockey and Shamrock lacrosse. He served on the St. James-Assiniboia Minor Hockey Associaiton board. He introduced conduct policies along with coach and player development programs that are still in place today.
Continuing as an entertainer, Ryback provides music entertainment at community events and for seniors as a solo artist and with a band. He has also provided ukulele lessons to senior men.
Closeness of community is of great importance to Kelly to do this day. And it's a key pillar of his vision for St. James.
The community clubs, libraries, and area parks were the hubs of the neighbourhoods in St. James when Ryback was growing up. Residents banded together to support the facilities and neighbourhoods That's not the case as much anymore.
Ryback aims to rebuild that sense of community by working to introduce new community programming and new investment in the community clubs, libraries and parks. Kids and neighbours need to be active together and there needs to be safe and clean places for that. Pool hours need to be reviewed and funding addressed to ensure the community needs are being met. Pools and spray pads need to be open more often.
Ryback served on the St. James-Assiniboia Pioneer Association, the stewards of Grant’s Old Mill on Sturgeon Creek. He elevated promotion and produced A-list main stage entertainment during the last two Cuthbert Grant Day celebrations. He secured $620K in funding for the proposed restoration of the mill and provided the foundation for future fundraising initiatives.
Ryback’s grassroots community support is extensive. Ryback has helped raise $100K’s and acquired several thousand basic essential items for numerous local charities over the past four years. He accomplishes this by volunteering over 400 hours annually as:
-board member of a service organization that fundraises for grant gifts to local causes and provide voluntary services
-co-founder of the Social for Ukraine, raising $50K over the past four years for humanitarian support in Ukraine
-founder of the annual Introduction to Golf event for middle school students at John Blumberg Golf Course, now in its fourth year.
-championing/volunteering at food banks, supportive housing, other charities, and entertaining at seniors’ homes and centres and leading numerous donation drives.
Ryback helped save John Blumberg Golf Course in 2022 and continues to advocate for its long-term existence. Retaining the course is critical as St. James will soon witness its largest residential development in over fifty years.
Ryback presented the idea to have a new spray pad constructed at Bord-Aire Community Club in 2024. The spray pad will now become a reality in 2027 or 2028. He presented numerous times to keep various pools open.Ryback spearheaded the efforts to recognize the legendary music icons Ray St. Germain and Bachman-Turner Overdrive with honourary street namings. He supported the same honour for Wayne Walker. He did this for the entertainers, their families and fans but also to instill a sense of community pride with the intention to inspire the city's youth. Ryback intends to do more of the same for noteworthy St. James residents, both past and present.
Ryback has a cast a wide net with his community support initiatives. He believes that if everyone did a little, a lot will get done. It is going to take the community to improve the community.
Ryback is a board member of a service club which raises funds for youth and for food and shelter security organizations. He also champions many charities and logs over 400 volunteer hours, collects thousands of donated items and raises several thousand dollars annually.
