Winnipeg Construction XI

[pspeid]

The Manitoba Museum operates on revenue from entrance fees, government grants and public fundraising. It has recently been updating it's permanent exhibits which, along with their educational programming, preservation duties, etc., must take up a large chunk of it's budget, if not all of it.

I don't doubt the museum staff acknowledge the current science gallery is out of date and in need of a massive upgrade. My guess is they probably need a sugar daddy with extremely deep pockets to get the ball rolling with a huge headline-grabbing donation to start the fundraising for the proposed science gallery building. It's probably easier to build on something that's been started than to encourage people to donate to a project that's, for the time being, just a wish.

Here's a link to their annual reports/financial statements if anyone is accountancy-minded and is curious:

https://manitobamuseum.ca/about-us/annual-reports/

[neutroniks]

Bernard House on 454 Edmonton looks almost finished on the exterior. It's looking good. I'll take some snaps the next time I walk through the area.

[neutroniks]

Originally Posted by pspeid

The Manitoba Museum operates on revenue from entrance fees, government grants and public fundraising. It has recently been updating it's permanent exhibits which, along with their educational programming, preservation duties, etc., must take up a large chunk of it's budget, if not all of it.

I don't doubt the museum staff acknowledge the current science gallery is out of date and in need of a massive upgrade. My guess is they probably need a sugar daddy with extremely deep pockets to get the ball rolling with a huge headline-grabbing donation to start the fundraising for the proposed science gallery building. It's probably easier to build on something that's been started than to encourage people to donate to a project that's, for the time being, just a wish.

Here's a link to their annual reports/financial statements if anyone is accountancy-minded and is curious:

https://manitobamuseum.ca/about-us/annual-reports/

They've been holding more events at Alloway Hall, so hopefully this is helping fund the new centre.

[EndIt]

Originally Posted by neutroniks

They've been holding more events at Alloway Hall, so hopefully this is helping fund the new centre.

In the annual reports pspeid linked, admissions and facilities rentals make up a little more than a quarter of the Museum's revenue. They really only serve to reduce to amount the money the provincial government needs to put in to keep the museum running, they won't go towards big capital projects.

The only way a new science centre will get built is through an infusion of public money, or a big donation. Maybe Standard Aero or one of the agri-business giants will get embroiled in a scandal and they'll fund it as a PR move lol.

[pspeid]

[QUOTE=EndIt;10500289 Maybe Standard Aero or one of the agri-business giants will get embroiled in a scandal and they'll fund it as a PR move lol.[/QUOTE]

LOL-we can only hope!!

[Wpg_Guy]

New chapter for Winnipeg’s first library
Former Carnegie Library is being redeveloped to once again house the City of Winnipeg Archives
October 17, 2025



On the 120th anniversary of the Carnegie Library opening, a new chapter is being written for Winnipeg’s first library. Construction is set to begin this month on the building at 380 William Avenue. It is being redeveloped as the permanent home for the City of Winnipeg Archives.


“We are trusted to keep the records that built this city safe,” said Konrad Krahn, City Archivist.

To have a space purposely built for Archives will ensure Winnipeg’s history will be protected, preserved, and accessible for years to come.


The building had previously housed the Archives. Significant rain damage in 2013 forced the relocation of the archival collection to a temporary, rented location.






Significant rain damage in 2013 forced the relocation of the archival collection to a temporary, rented location.

“Our current location was intended as a short-term solution,” said Krahn. “It is not designed for long-term preservation of the City’s irreplaceable records.”



The location at 50 Myrtle Avenue also had limited space for the collection. Archives had to turn away some records because of space or conservation limitations. The new building means Archives will once again be able to accept these materials.


A purpose-built facility

The revitalized building will feature a climate-controlled storage vault. It will have space to support reconciliation activities such as smudging, ceremonies, and displays. There will also be room for public programming and research.


Artist rendering of the City of Winnipeg Archives reception area.


The City of Winnipeg Archives will feature space for programming and research.


The City of Winnipeg Archives will feature space for programming and research.


A climate-controlled vault will be at the City of Winnipeg Archives.

“We saw during the Winnipeg 150 anniversary just what the City’s history means to residents so it’s fitting this is the Winnipeg 150 Legacy Project,” said. “We’re creating a welcoming place for people to come to learn this history of where they live.”


The archival collection isn’t the only piece of history being preserved. The building has essentially been vacant since 2013. This redevelopment will breathe new life into the downtown landmark.


A place for the people

The library was originally funded through a $75,000 grant from American philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. In all, Carnegie funded over 2,500 libraries worldwide. Winnipeg’s was the 49th in Canada supported by him when it opened on October 11, 1905.


“One of the requirements for the funding was that Winnipeg had to pledge to maintain a free and public library for no less than $7,500 annually,” said Sarah Ramsden, Senior Archivist. “If you look above the front door, the exterior façade features the phrase ‘Free to all’ as a reminder of the building’s purpose.”


Carnegie Library in 1905. Image credit: City of Winnipeg Archives


The exterior façade features the phrase ‘Free to all’ as a reminder of the building’s purpose.


Carnegie Library in 2025. The building received heritage designation in 1984. Protected features are the front rooms on the first and second floors, the exterior façade, and the iron fence.

Residents were quick to embrace the space. An expansion, also funded by Carnegie, was built only three years after the library opened. By 1910, it was the second busiest library in Canada. Over 341,000 books were loaned from it annually.


“The Carnegie Library began as an investment in knowledge,” said Ramsden.

Even back then, it was more than just a building—it was a symbol of civic pride, access to knowledge, and the public good.


The space was Winnipeg’s main library until the Centennial Library (now Millennium Library) opened in 1977. The following year, the building reopened as the William Avenue Branch Library with some space allocated for Winnipeg’s archival records. After sharing the space for many years, the William Avenue Branch Library closed in 1994. The building then became known as the home of the City of Winnipeg Archives.


“Just as the Carnegie Library served the public in 1905, this new facility has been planned to serve today and tomorrow’s residents,” said Ramsden.


It’s anticipated construction will be completed in 2027.

City of Winnipeg



• Video Link

[ColdRain&Snow]

^It's great that this building is finally being repaired, but holy cow did it really need to take 12 years just to start the work?

[cllew]

Originally Posted by ColdRain&Snow

^It's great that this building is finally being repaired, but holy cow did it really need to take 12 years just to start the work?

I wonder if it took that long to settle the 2015 lawsuit against Gardon Construction over the damage from the renovations to improve the collection storage space in 2013?

From what I found online the roof was not properly covered and water leaked in from 2 rain storms and severely damaged the building causing the collection to be moved out.

Free Press report on the leak / damage

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2015/05/16/city-suing-builder-over-water-damage-to-archives

[ColdRain&Snow]

Originally Posted by cllew

I wonder if it took that long to settle the 2015 lawsuit against Gardon Construction over the damage from the renovations to improve the collection storage space in 2013?

From what I found online the roof was not properly covered and water leaked in from 2 rain storms and severely damaged the building causing the collection to be moved out.

Free Press report on the leak / damage

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2015/05/16/city-suing-builder-over-water-damage-to-archives

Yeah that would make sense, you have a good memory.

[davequanbury]

Great news about the city archives. I visited them a couple times at their interim location and they are super knowledgable and helpful. They have an amazing giant map of Winnipeg from 120 or so years ago up on the wall.

The frees article got me thinking about Carnegie building all those thousand libraries for untold thousands of dollars a century ago and wondering what it would look like if the ultra rich of our day and age made a contribution to society of that level. When we adjust for inflation, how large a gift would it be?

What was it about society in those days that saw Carnegie decide he wanted to undertake that level of philanthropy? What is different today?

[neutroniks]

Originally Posted by davequanbury

Great news about the city archives. I visited them a couple times at their interim location and they are super knowledgable and helpful. They have an amazing giant map of Winnipeg from 120 or so years ago up on the wall.

The frees article got me thinking about Carnegie building all those thousand libraries for untold thousands of dollars a century ago and wondering what it would look like if the ultra rich of our day and age made a contribution to society of that level. When we adjust for inflation, how large a gift would it be?

What was it about society in those days that saw Carnegie decide he wanted to undertake that level of philanthropy? What is different today?

It was probably the thought of wanting people to read more. Just like today, a lot of people in society have really, really, really bad takes on all things, because they're either uninformed, or don't read. So much oppression is intertwined with the ability to read. Very similar to the fall of many other ancient societies; they started to fall when people stopped reading. Amazing man to see to it that he wanted to make books and knowledge as accessible as possible to their fellow man.

[Outlandish18]

Somebody here posted something about another high-rise in downtown not too long ago. Either in the works or a rumor, something to that effect.

[Ellewood]

There is fencing between Erin and Clifton near Notre Dame behind that Juvians restaurant. I also see Ernst Construction banners.

Does anyone have info on this?

[Biff]

I think it might be more strip mall. That was what was planned years ago but never got built. It could have changed though.

[ColdRain&Snow]

It looks like a 99-unit multi-family building was approved internally (without a public hearing) at 2750 King Edward St.

https://legacy.winnipeg.ca/PPD/Documents/CityPlanning/Reports/25-210580-VC.pdf

Does anyone know why a large building like this can be approved internally but the slightly-smaller building at 685 Westminster (Sherbrooke Inn parking lot) required a public hearing? Is this the new Malls & Corridors changes in action?

https://clkapps.winnipeg.ca/DMIS/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=27130&SectionId=&InitUrl=

[ColdRain&Snow]

Saw some more workers in the Boyd Building today. Looked up building permits and found the following permits issued recently:

25-229279 EC 388 Portage AVE New Multi-family Dwelling. Related Building Permit: 25-199452 MU. wiring for new multi family building Issued 2025-09-26
25-227415 MC 388 Portage AVE M1 - HVAC. Location of work within building - room number, floor, etc.: full building, all floors. Related Building Permit: 25 199452 000 00 MU. complete install Issued 2025-09-17
25-199452 MU 388 Portage Avenue Interior and Exterior Alterations. Concurrent Building Permit Submission Apartments: Change of Major Occupancy D-C Change of Use, Interior, and Exterior Alterations Landlord Work - 10 storey, Multi-tenant, Apartment Building. Scope of Work Includes: Convert Previous Office Building into a 108 Dwelling Unit Residential Building with 2 Main Floor CRUs. Structural Alterations: Reinforcement to roof system to accommodate new rooftop MUA. New window lentils. Exterior Alterations: New windows, man and overhead door(s) and new makeup air unit. Electrical and Mechanical Work being done. Issued 2025-09-26
25-196874 PC 388 Portage AVE New Multi-family Dwelling. Related Building Permit: 25-199452 MU. Location of work within building - room number, floor, etc.: 10 floors. new multi family Issued 2025-10-03
25-196283 DP 388 Portage AVE Permit. Development permit for a proposed change of use to an existing building to establish 99 dwelling units and two CRU units on main floor and mezzanine. Issued 2025-09-26

Hard to believe but I think the renovations in this building are actually going to happen.

[FactaNV]

Originally Posted by ColdRain&Snow

Saw some more workers in the Boyd Building today. Looked up building permits and found the following permits issued recently:

25-229279 EC 388 Portage AVE New Multi-family Dwelling. Related Building Permit: 25-199452 MU. wiring for new multi family building Issued 2025-09-26
25-227415 MC 388 Portage AVE M1 - HVAC. Location of work within building - room number, floor, etc.: full building, all floors. Related Building Permit: 25 199452 000 00 MU. complete install Issued 2025-09-17
25-199452 MU 388 Portage Avenue Interior and Exterior Alterations. Concurrent Building Permit Submission Apartments: Change of Major Occupancy D-C Change of Use, Interior, and Exterior Alterations Landlord Work - 10 storey, Multi-tenant, Apartment Building. Scope of Work Includes: Convert Previous Office Building into a 108 Dwelling Unit Residential Building with 2 Main Floor CRUs. Structural Alterations: Reinforcement to roof system to accommodate new rooftop MUA. New window lentils. Exterior Alterations: New windows, man and overhead door(s) and new makeup air unit. Electrical and Mechanical Work being done. Issued 2025-09-26
25-196874 PC 388 Portage AVE New Multi-family Dwelling. Related Building Permit: 25-199452 MU. Location of work within building - room number, floor, etc.: 10 floors. new multi family Issued 2025-10-03
25-196283 DP 388 Portage AVE Permit. Development permit for a proposed change of use to an existing building to establish 99 dwelling units and two CRU units on main floor and mezzanine. Issued 2025-09-26

Hard to believe but I think the renovations in this building are actually going to happen.

Thank — public pressure worked. Such a beautiful building seemed at risk of demolition by neglect.

[cllew]

Discount gas is coming to Elmwood.

I noticed that there is work going on where the former McDonalds on Nairn was was located.

Checking the City of Winnipeg permit site there are a number of permits open for construction of a 204 Fuel station on that lot.

[BAKGUY]

Originally Posted by FactaNV

Thank — public pressure worked. Such a beautiful building seemed at risk of demolition by neglect.

Great news.
Now to find a way to save The former Marlborough Hotel.

[Mr Tall Forehead]

Originally Posted by ColdRain&Snow

It looks like a 99-unit multi-family building was approved internally (without a public hearing) at 2750 King Edward St.

https://legacy.winnipeg.ca/PPD/Documents/CityPlanning/Reports/25-210580-VC.pdf

Does anyone know why a large building like this can be approved internally but the slightly-smaller building at 685 Westminster (Sherbrooke Inn parking lot) required a public hearing? Is this the new Malls & Corridors changes in action?

https://clkapps.winnipeg.ca/DMIS/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=27130&SectionId=&InitUrl=

I think it depends on whether any variances are required or if a subdivision is involved. I would guess the Sherbrook Inn development may have involved variances for parking or something.