Winnipeg | Downtown | True North Square | U/C

[Winnipeg Grump]

From earlier today. Not using the big boy crane.
Looks like they've brought on more staff, too.

[Mr Tall Forehead]

Yeah it looks like quite a few more people on the crew now.

So after they've poured the second level and start on the third, whose job is it to build the skywalk over to the Convention Centre and connect it to Wawanesa? Do these guys do it or does the City put out an RFP?

[cllew]

Originally Posted by Mr Tall Forehead

Yeah it looks like quite a few more people on the crew now.

So after they've poured the second level and start on the third, whose job is it to build the skywalk over to the Convention Centre and connect it to Wawanesa? Do these guys do it or does the City put out an RFP?

Probably part of their contract to build as it makes it easier for the building general contractor to do the work. And if the connecting buildings are already roughed in for a connection things are simpler.

At one time the funding for street crossings were 1/3 from each connecting building and 1/3 from the city as it crossed the street. There was a fund for the city portion but I think it ended when the City Place - Delta Hotel link was built in 2010.

[Wpg_Guy]

Some new info out of the Executive Policy Committee – July 7, 2026 report.

• Northland Properties is seeking 6 million from the City of Winnipeg and Province of Manitoba to build the public skywalk connecting the hotel to the Convention Centre.
• The hotel is a $140 million development with 352 rooms and is expected to be completed by late 2028.
• It will be rated a 4.5-out of 5-star hotel.

Contribution to a Public Skywalk for a New Hotel at 220 Carlton Street

[FactaNV]

I thought the whole point of this is it would be 5 stars as required by the NHL.

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by FactaNV

I thought the whole point of this is it would be 5 stars as required by the NHL.

This is a myth, there is no such requirement in the NHLPA's CBA requiring 5 star accommodations or any equivalent rating. There is no mandate for 5-star ratings, specific chains, or any luxury classifications.

[optimusREIM]

Also whose rating system would you even go by?

If I have understood correctly, there is no one rating system that is viewed the same as say, the Michelin guide is viewed for restaurant ratings.

In any event, Sutton Place hotels generally look pretty nice, so I am certain it will be more than adequate for NHL teams who come by.

[bomberjet]

Purchased the property in 2016, and now plans to finish the hotel in 2028.

Longest. Timeline. Eveeeerrrrrrrrr. (skill testing Simpsons refernce).

[Wpg_Guy]

Each NHL team handles its own hotel bookings independently. The CBA guarantees single rooms and 'reasonable' quality for recovery/sleep, but teams have a wide discretion on which hotels they choose. Luxury is common because it often aligns with performance needs, proximity to the rink, reliable room service/gym access at odd hours, soundproofing, and minimal foot traffic. The CBA sets minimum standards for accommodations but is not overly prescriptive on luxury.

[pspeid]

I know I'm pretty common, but isn't the difference between a "4.5 star" hotel and a "5 star" hotel pretty near the ultimate in splitting hairs?

I'm sure the city will pony up the money for the skywalk to the convention centre. I imagine it help convention centre sell bookings to have two hotels linked to it by skywalk.

[Sheepish]

I may be even more common that Speid...but I thought the whole point of the hotel was to connect to the convention centre. Seems to me these i's should have been dotted and t's crossed on day 1...and probably on a cost sharing basis.

[optimusREIM]

Originally Posted by Sheepish

I may be even more common that Speid...but I thought the whole point of the hotel was to connect to the convention centre. Seems to me these i's should have been dotted and t's crossed on day 1...and probably on a cost sharing basis.

May have to be redone if it was initially given how many damn times they've changed the design.

[drew]

If the goal is to actually get a skywalk connection built - we don't want Northland being responsible for it.

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by Sheepish

I may be even more common that Speid...but I thought the whole point of the hotel was to connect to the convention centre. Seems to me these i's should have been dotted and t's crossed on day 1...and probably on a cost sharing basis.

It says in the report, a $9.3 million City grant was approved by Council in 2018 for skywalks and other public infrastructure related to this new hotel and True North Square, there is $2 million in reserve left over from this grant that will go towards this new skywalk connection.

[Sheepish]

I saw that...but isn't northlands requesting 6 million for the skywalk? Am I missing something or does that not leave 4million. And did I read correctly that the city wants the province to contribute? Seems to me that Northands should ante up as well.

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by Sheepish

I saw that...but isn't northlands requesting 6 million for the skywalk? Am I missing something or does that not leave 4million. And did I read correctly that the city wants the province to contribute? Seems to me that Northands should ante up as well.

The city will contribute 3M and the province will contribute 3M, the report says this is consistent with the past practice of the City and Province funding the capital cost of public skywalk connections between downtown buildings. The City will benefit long term from this infrastructure investment through property tax revenue and the accommodation tax.

[bomberjet]

It used to be split 1/3 by property owner, city and province. The way I'm reading that is it will cost $6 million and NP doesn't want to pay any of it. Which is par for the course with the history of this thing. The City should just build it separately and not connect the hotel to the skywalk.

[bomberjet]

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

It says in the report, a $9.3 million City grant was approved by Council in 2018 for skywalks and other public infrastructure related to this new hotel and True North Square, there is $2 million in reserve left over from this grant that will go towards this new skywalk connection.

$9.3 would include other parts of the skywalk already built at TNS I assume. $9.3 million being an out of date number 8 years later.

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

$9.3 would include other parts of the skywalk already built at TNS I assume. $9.3 million being an out of date number 8 years later.

Correct, 7.3 million from that grant has been used for the skywalks and other public realm projects previously built.

[Wpg_Guy]

Originally Posted by bomberjet

It used to be split 1/3 by property owner, city and province. The way I'm reading that is it will cost $6 million and NP doesn't want to pay any of it. Which is par for the course with the history of this thing. The City should just build it separately and not connect the hotel to the skywalk.

That's exactly what they are asking for. NP will front 1 million of the overall 6 million cost and the city will reimburse the 1 million plus interest though the TIF over five years.