|
World Class Winnipeg
In response to trueviking's shocking outburst in the stadium thread that (and I quote) "nothing in winnipeg is world class...nothing....the CMHR will be the only exception", I started to ponder whether he could possibly be right. Is anything in Winnipeg "world class"? Has anything ever been? Could anything become world class, maybe with addition of a fresh coat of stucco?
First, it is important to define one's terms . To be "world class", I think something has to be an instance or example of a culturally significant class of objects (not something trivial, ephemeral or of recent invention). It could be something natural but ideally it would be something man-made that represents the finest flowering of human cultural or economic aspirations. Secondly, it would need to be something that would impress anyone from anywhere in the world as an exceptional example of its kind of object, whether from a quantitative or a qualitative point of view (and preferably from both points of view simultaneously). Even if it is a purely utilitarian object it should create a sense of wonder in the observer. Any city anywhere would be augmented by the presence of this thing. I would agree that the Canadian Human Rights Museum could potentially be such a world class thing, although it's by no means certain. But what else? I can think of some near misses: St. Boniface Basilica Esplanade Riel Exchange District (generally) Maybe these could be "continental class" as opposed to "world class". Having experienced them a visitor from almost anywhere would remember them as exceptional things, and highlights of the visit, but not really with a sense of wonder. Anyway, I can think of few possible world class Winnipeg things, but I'll leave it open for the suggestions of others. What do you think is "world class" (if anything) in Winnipeg (or Manitoba generally), and what do you think falls in the "near miss" category? |
its a city with bits and peaces of world class cities can it do it only time will tell thats were it stands today
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3197/...32572e60_o.jpg http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1439/...24149498_o.jpg |
Looking at the images above 2 things jumped into my head that are definitely "world class"
The Skate Park at the Forks is definitely "world class", that distinction was given by none other that skating guru Tony Hawk. With the red river in view above I think of floods and the great work of the former premier Duff Roblin who had the foresight to build the floodway. It is one of the world's largest excavation projects and has been instrumental in saving Winnipeg on up to 20 occassions saving billion and billions of $$$$. I'm sure there are plenty more. |
our elm trees
|
Are we talking only architecture?
Isn't the ballet quite 'world class' :P haha. I hate ballet. I'd say the exchange is definitely a fantastic piece of world heritage. World class even. The Legislative bldg is definitely taken for granted. The view of it coming down from Balmoral is something special. World class? Maybe a near miss. We've got plenty to be proud about. We've got plenty of room for improvement. I don't think people in Winnipeg live here because they think there's anything 'world class' about it. |
If were are not talking about architecture then here are some "world class festivals" that take place in Winnipeg each year.
Fringe festival. On par with Edinburgh Fringe, Adelaide Fringe, Edmonton International Fringe Festival, and Minnesota Fringe Festival, all of which major "world class" festivals. Folklorama is the largest and longest-running festival of its kind in the world. Acknowledged by the International Council of Organizations for Folklore Festivals and Folk Art, also known as CIOFF. Festival du Voyageur. This event is held in Winnipeg's French Quarter, Saint-Boniface and is Western Canada's largest winter festival. Teams from all over the world compete in various events at this festival (e.g. snow and ice sculpture) |
people who consider much of anything to be world class in Winnipeg I am sorry to say have likely never flown on a plane....anywhere. It's a nice city..but not world class.
|
interesting thread...i was more refering to buildings, or places, but the discussion is worthy....the article in the paper said that the new athletic facility at the u of m will be world class....who are they kidding exactly?...that kind of thing drives me crazy....it makes us seem so small town.
i will grant you that the big ditch is probably world class as far as big ditches go.... there is an argument for the RWB.... i guess you could consider our elm tree collection world class as long as you define it only by that specific type of tree...mostly because they have vanished everywhere else...there are lots of cities with lots of big trees though our winter temperatures are world class....third or fourth coldest on earth, depending how you define it....(cities over half million in population of course) the exchange is outclassed by even the smallest town in the smallest country in europe as far as cohesive collections of century old building go.... munich's oktoberfest is world class...not the festival du voyageur. |
Quote:
Our business has done well, and we can be located anywhere in the world. We choose Winnipeg because I love Winnipeg. I can't emphasize this enough ... but we really don't know how much people matter until we are forced to relocate somewhere else. Sure, San Francisco has a great nightlife, and Dublin has great shopping on Graffton. Malta has amazing weather and 2000 year old buildings. But, everywhere I go, the people aren't the same ... I always miss Winnipeg. The people are our greatest asset. |
I was thinking that maybe the recreation of the Nonsuch and Deptford Docks at the Museum could be world-class. It is the main reason the Museum gets a 3-star rating from the Michelin Guide. Anyone from anywhere would be impressed by the opportunity to board the Nonsuch as well as by the dramatic mood of the room it is in, which is only improved by the impressive collection of Hudson Bay Company artifacts that was added a few years ago. Also it connects Winnipeg into an important part of world history.
Another thing would be the railway yards, which are jaw-dropping for railway buffs. I agree completely that overuse of the "world class" designation is embarrassing (we get it here in Toronto as well). So I tried to define it in a very restrictive way for this purpose. |
we are the slurpie capital of the world!:cheers:
although now that we have winter year round, we may become the hot chocolate capital of the world? for what its worth, "The Winnipeg Art Gallery is a public art gallery that was founded in 1912. It is Western Canada's oldest civic gallery and the 6th largest in the country. The collection includes the world's largest public collection of contemporary Inuit art." -wikipedia |
coming from Europe, the only things i can say are world class in Winnipeg are Portage and Main and Fort Whyte Alive;)
|
our fine array of retail along downtown portage doesn't make the cut?!
driving past the new airport the other day, that monster looks pretty "worldly".. also, i'd say the unique historic sites littering this city and province (fur trade era, etc.) summed together would create a pretty world class experience for anyone from anywhere on the globe. |
Quote:
|
how many major intersections out there can u sit at and have ur lunch on a nice summers day? beleave me people do i certanly have :)
if only hys set up a summer padio :( |
Quote:
|
yea at the richardson building plazza or sometimes i sit on the grass infront of canwest place
|
Winnipeg is "world class" in negativity.
|
I would have to agree that our Legislative building is on par with some of the best in the world. Having recently moved to Regina, and having just taken in a tour of their Legislative building which was designed and as touted as one of the best in the world, (both are of very similar design and influence), I would still have to say that the Manitoba Legislative Building still outshines it. it's the finer details such as the buffalo that greet you on the grandstaircase or the selection of colours for the marble that really make it pop. I thought the Sask leg was nice but it just failed slightly in comparison with Manitoba's. Although I will tip the balance in their favour when it comes to Wascana Park versus the gardens and the river walk behind the Leg
Also having had the pleasure of visiting Moscow and Novosibirsk in Russia this past fall and seeing their various capital buildings including the amazing sites at Red Square I would say that Manitoba's Leg is "World Class". |
folklorama will never be world class until they bring back the PASSPORTS. it is something so simple that a lot of people would enjoy.
|
World class cities don't advertise themselves as world-class.
And they certainly don't have to ask if they are. They just do what they do, without compromise, without apology and with an eye firmly on excellence and grandeur. Winnipeg has a couple of the pieces, but it is lacking the most important thing that defines the truly great cities - self confidence. |
well said.
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
The WC cussword gets thrown around in this town with great ease, showing people's hick desparation for what it is. World class doesn't look like this: http://www.urbanphoto.net/blog/wp-co...02-galston.jpg |
i still love that campain
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Even Thunder Bay is "world class" these days. :rolleyes:
|
The coming inland port will be truely world class. :yes:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
To me (an outside perspective) the world class elements of Winnipeg are:
-The amount of history for such a small city -St. Boniface -The sheer amount of beautiful historic gems for buildings. Coming from Alberta it is an amazing amount. Even in general the architecture is great. -The Exchange District -The human rights museum will be pretty good -The Leg down there is pretty cool -The Mint Although I never went I'm sure the Forks, The Folkorama, and the Fringe would also qualify. Good on Winnipeg. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Whether or not Winnipeg is world class is debatable, but the fact that Winnipeg is extremely unique is undeniable. And I think Winnipeg's uniqueness endears the city to visitors from all around the world.
|
Quote:
Portage Avenue is one of Winnipeg's heartbreakingly ugly parts. |
Quote:
i love my city :notacrook: |
World class?
If Winnipeg were "world class", it wouldn't feel the need to trumpet its every miniscule accomplishment as such. Does Rome? Does Amsterdam? Does New York? Does Montreal? Does San Francisco? Only the desperate declare their efforts "world class."
If Winnipeg were "world class", the Downtown BIZ and CentreVenture wouldn't exist and every surface parking lot downtown would be replaced by a mixed-use 3-6 story building of architectural repute. If Winnipeg were "world class", the residents of suburban Winnipeg would be clamouring to live downtown because they weren't at the centre of a fashionable, creative and vibrant city. If Winnipeg were "world class", Portage Avenue would be packed with people day and night. If Winnipeg were "world class", cruise night would not be tolerated. If Winnipeg were "world class", people would greet IKEA's arrival with a yawn, pointing out the one-of-a-kind custom-designed furniture they paid a premium for. If Winnipeg were "world class", neither the hypocritical suburban-teet-sucking provincial NDP nor the imagination-deprived provincial Tories would have any say whatsoever in the fate of this city. If Winnipeg were "world class", we wouldn't be discussing a police helicopter, we would be discussing how better to educate, encourage and befriend our disadvantaged youth. If Winnipeg were "world class", Sam Katz wouldn't be mayor. If Winnipeg were "world class", it would celebrate its big thinkers and its innovators, not ostracize them. If Winnipeg were "world class", the NDP would lose the next election because of both Waverly West and Crocus. If Winnipeg were "world class", Manitoba Homecoming wouldn't exist. If Winnipeg were "world class", you'd dress better. If Winnipeg were "world class", people would flee southwest Winnipeg, instead of flocking to it. If Winnipeg were "world class", it would acknowledge the racism of its police force. If Winnipeg were "world class", it would stop treating aboriginals like second-class citizens. If Winnipeg were "world class", the barriers at Portage & Main would've been torn down by now. If Winnipeg were "world class", you wouldn't care about parking because you'd sell your car and ride rapid transit. If Winnipeg were "world class", I wouldn't have to write this. |
why does it even matter
|
Take a look around, Adrian.
It matters now more than ever. |
no why does it matter if its world class it should be done right not world class thats just sales men talk
|
The only "world class" thing Winnipeg has ever had were the Winnipeg Jets of the NHL.
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
I don't think Winnipeg is a world-class city, but then neither is any other Canadian city. Toronto and Vancouver may have more world-class credentials than other Canadian cities, but neither of them are in the same league as a New York, London, Tokyo or Paris. Does that make them (or us) a less pleasant city in which to live? Not in my eyes. I wouldn't get caught up in these silly labels. 1ajs is right: world class is a salesman's pitch that gets invoked whenever they want to sell you something glitzy and expensive, like retractable roof stadiums, pricey cultural venues, and yes, NHL teams. |
Are Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, Toledo, Grand Rapids, Des Moines, Omaha, Colombus..."world-class"? Nah!
Let's focus on making this God-forsaken city as good as it can be! For instance, the province has passed the TIF Bill, but it is taking what seems like forever for the city and province to designate areas for this...c'mon folks: get it done! |
| All times are GMT. The time now is 6:00 AM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Prev