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  #1  
Old Posted Apr 3, 2009, 1:21 AM
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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?
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  #2  
Old Posted Apr 3, 2009, 1:32 AM
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its a city with bits and peaces of world class cities can it do it only time will tell thats were it stands today



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  #3  
Old Posted Apr 3, 2009, 2:08 AM
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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.
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Old Posted Apr 3, 2009, 2:34 AM
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our elm trees
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  #5  
Old Posted Apr 3, 2009, 2:42 AM
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Are we talking only architecture?

Isn't the ballet quite 'world class' 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.
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  #6  
Old Posted Apr 3, 2009, 2:55 AM
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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)
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  #7  
Old Posted Apr 3, 2009, 3:42 AM
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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.
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  #8  
Old Posted Apr 3, 2009, 4:03 AM
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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.
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  #9  
Old Posted Apr 3, 2009, 4:19 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by trueviking View Post
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.
At the risk of sounding pompous, take it from someone who spends more time travelling business than in Winnipeg, and who's frequent cities include Vancouver, Dublin, Malta, London, NY, Montreal and SF (at least 3 times per year each) ... our PEOPLE are world class.

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.
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  #10  
Old Posted Apr 3, 2009, 12:23 PM
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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.
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  #11  
Old Posted Apr 3, 2009, 12:25 PM
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we are the slurpie capital of the world!

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
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  #12  
Old Posted Apr 4, 2009, 10:18 PM
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coming from Europe, the only things i can say are world class in Winnipeg are Portage and Main and Fort Whyte Alive
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  #13  
Old Posted Apr 4, 2009, 10:31 PM
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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.
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  #14  
Old Posted Apr 4, 2009, 11:17 PM
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Originally Posted by spiritedenergy View Post
coming from Europe, the only things i can say are world class in Winnipeg are Portage and Main and Fort Whyte Alive
I could at least agree that Portage and Main feels at least as "big" as anything in Toronto. King and Bay has much taller buildings but in the end is just the crossing of two grubby, narrow little streets. Portage and Main has a real sense of grandeur and gravitas. It is a World Class (tm) Intersection.
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  #15  
Old Posted Apr 5, 2009, 2:09 AM
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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
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  #16  
Old Posted Apr 5, 2009, 4:56 AM
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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
do you do this in Portage and Main? Where exactly?
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  #17  
Old Posted Apr 5, 2009, 5:54 AM
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yea at the richardson building plazza or sometimes i sit on the grass infront of canwest place
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  #18  
Old Posted Apr 5, 2009, 8:50 AM
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I don't regret making the trip to Winnipeg one little bit. My friend was baffled why I'd prefer to vacation in Winnipeg over his summer destination, Atlanta. Other cities like Atlanta may be higher profile due to size, pro sports, and commerce, but they lack substance. Atlanta? Atlanta has nothing on Winnipeg.

Winnipeg residents are being overly harsh and modest about their city. There are many things in Winnipeg that impress. Winnipeg stands up well to cities many times larger. Preserve your past, continue to go that extra yard for quality and beauty, and any self doubt will fall by the way side. By the way, the Manitoba Legislature is not only one of the most impressive buildings in Canada, but one of the most impressive in the world. It's magnificent.

Manitoba Legislature?

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3235/...a16c2305_b.jpg

http://pro.corbis.com/images/SC00435...CD6B1E70E40%7D

St. Boniface Cathedral?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/128/3...69d221.jpg?v=0

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/61/22...627667.jpg?v=0

Esplanade-Riel Bridge?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1252/...1b1d8b.jpg?v=0

http://kengillespie.com/img/v3/p866799656-3.jpg

University of Manitoba?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/143/3...ea81b9.jpg?v=0

http://www.tufts.edu/talloiresnetwor...alnet__497.jpg

Fort Garry Hotel?

http://www.zapwater.com/blog/uploade...l-a-731091.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2062/...bd8052.jpg?v=0

The Exchange District?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/153/3...83e700.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3224/...75c62a.jpg?v=0

Bank of Montreal

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3293/...6be5676ba8.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3287/...872d5e.jpg?v=0

Hudson's Bay store?

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2223/...14ba3e.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/...984984.jpg?v=0

Canadian Mint?

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/181/3...d728e2.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3072/...14d0aa.jpg?v=0
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Last edited by isaidso; Apr 5, 2009 at 10:22 AM.
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  #19  
Old Posted Apr 5, 2009, 1:19 PM
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Winnipeg is "world class" in negativity.
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  #20  
Old Posted Apr 5, 2009, 7:53 PM
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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".
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