Winnipeg Construction

[Prairieboy]

What a fabulous home it would make...

[headhorse]

from the Journal of Commerce:

Request for Proposals for the expansion of the Winnipeg Convention Centre and complementary Downtown Development has closed. The owner has chosen a development proponent and will release contact information for the awarded proponent when agreements have been finalized early fall 2012. Preliminary planning is ongoing in-house at the owner. Schedules for design, tender and construction will be identified when the award agreements are final. Further update October 2012.

http://www.journalofcommerce.com/cgi-bin...e41a7c&projectid=9090646&region=prairies

[Mininari]

Its definitely a very nicely designed building, and complements the setting at Assiniboine park; but dare I offer a few criticisms of its operation?

1) The building is called the 'Family Centre' but is somewhat inaccessible to families. For one, the restaurant stops making food at 3:30pm. Last I checked, families don't leave the park at 3:30pm. Why can't they operate a take-out-only service after 4:00pm -- since I know they switch to catering mode for whatever event is booked that evening.

2) That leads me to my next issue: renting space at this place is expensive. My wife recently looked into it as a possible venue for our son's 1st birthday party... and immediately decided against it when she heard the hourly rate. I guess only big family events need apply? (weddings, etc?)

3) There is no parking reserved for parents with small children / infants. This is a chronic problem at City facilities, (e.g. Pan-Am pool), and should be in place where it might be nice to have parking near the facility. Even if its just a couple spots and they're always in use, the mere existence of it would be appreciated.

4) Is that window supposed to be a full-scale take-out window? Everytime I go in there to order food, I get the feeling from the staff that I'm being a burden by ordering food to go.

Aside from this, it is a nice addition among the many other exciting developments coming to the park. I am excited that my research group at the University is closely involved with the Journey to Churchill exhibit, providing some interpretive materials, and possibly even joint research programs down the road.

Is another restaurant replacing the Star Grill at the conservatory?

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by Mininari

Its definitely a very nicely designed building, and complements the setting at Assiniboine park; but dare I offer a few criticisms of its operation?

1) The building is called the 'Family Centre' but is somewhat inaccessible to families. For one, the restaurant stops making food at 3:30pm. Last I checked, families don't leave the park at 3:30pm. Why can't they operate a take-out-only service after 4:00pm -- since I know they switch to catering mode for whatever event is booked that evening.

2) That leads me to my next issue: renting space at this place is expensive. My wife recently looked into it as a possible venue for our son's 1st birthday party... and immediately decided against it when she heard the hourly rate. I guess only big family events need apply? (weddings, etc?)

3) There is no parking reserved for parents with small children / infants. This is a chronic problem at City facilities, (e.g. Pan-Am pool), and should be in place where it might be nice to have parking near the facility. Even if its just a couple spots and they're always in use, the mere existence of it would be appreciated.

4) Is that window supposed to be a full-scale take-out window? Everytime I go in there to order food, I get the feeling from the staff that I'm being a burden by ordering food to go.

1) Fair complaint. However the market seems to fit their business model because their evening bookings are apparently booked solid. As for the "family" name. There are quite a few workshops for kids that take place in the building during the summer and on weekends.

2) It is a nice building. It designed for larger (50+ people) groups. It won't be cheap.

3) Seriously? You are at a park. Take a walk from the Zoo parking lot. My 2 year old son doesn't seem to find it difficult.

4) Haven't ordered take out yet. However the chicken picnic dinner intrigued me.

[Mininari]

Originally Posted by h0twired

1) Fair complaint. However the market seems to fit their business model because their evening bookings are apparently booked solid. As for the "family" name. There are quite a few workshops for kids that take place in the building during the summer and on weekends.

2) It is a nice building. It designed for larger (50+ people) groups. It won't be cheap.

3) Seriously? You are at a park. Take a walk from the Zoo parking lot. My 2 year old son doesn't seem to find it difficult.

4) Haven't ordered take out yet. However the chicken picnic dinner intrigued me.

Thanks for your responses... I'll further clarify #3:

I'm not talking about parents with 2-3 year old kids. If anything, the kids'll be running off leaving poor old dad in the dust. I'm talking about parents with *INFANTS* e.g. the ones that are not yet walking. I don't have a problem with carrying my son, but for some, it can be a challenge to carry a 25lb kid (or 25lb baby-car bucket seat combo)along with whatever other stuff you may be carrying along.

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by Mininari

Thanks for your responses... I'll further clarify #3:

I'm not talking about parents with 2-3 year old kids. If anything, the kids'll be running off leaving poor old dad in the dust. I'm talking about parents with *INFANTS* e.g. the ones that are not yet walking. I don't have a problem with carrying my son, but for some, it can be a challenge to carry a 25lb kid (or 25lb baby-car bucket seat combo)along with whatever other stuff you may be carrying along.

Most people have strollers if they can't carry their children.

I can understand your justification for the need. However I also see those spots as being abused as they are pretty much unenforceable and will likely always be taken by lazy parents who just want a prime spot.

[chrisallard5454]

Originally Posted by Mininari

Its definitely a very nicely designed building, and complements the setting at Assiniboine park; but dare I offer a few criticisms of its operation?

1) The building is called the 'Family Centre' but is somewhat inaccessible to families. For one, the restaurant stops making food at 3:30pm. Last I checked, families don't leave the park at 3:30pm. Why can't they operate a take-out-only service after 4:00pm -- since I know they switch to catering mode for whatever event is booked that evening.

2) That leads me to my next issue: renting space at this place is expensive. My wife recently looked into it as a possible venue for our son's 1st birthday party... and immediately decided against it when she heard the hourly rate. I guess only big family events need apply? (weddings, etc?)

3) There is no parking reserved for parents with small children / infants. This is a chronic problem at City facilities, (e.g. Pan-Am pool), and should be in place where it might be nice to have parking near the facility. Even if its just a couple spots and they're always in use, the mere existence of it would be appreciated.

4) Is that window supposed to be a full-scale take-out window? Everytime I go in there to order food, I get the feeling from the staff that I'm being a burden by ordering food to go.

Aside from this, it is a nice addition among the many other exciting developments coming to the park. I am excited that my research group at the University is closely involved with the Journey to Churchill exhibit, providing some interpretive materials, and possibly even joint research programs down the road.

Is another restaurant replacing the Star Grill at the conservatory?

The Star Grill is being replaced by itself. There is a renovation that will take place in the 10's of thousands. I think it will be more of a convention centre then a restaurant post reno. though. I can't remember the exact details as my orientation to working for the Conservancy was 4 months ago.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by armorand93

You left the meeting for these shots? You missed my presentation and applause!

I'm Ashton, btw.

ha...should have figured...the transit guy!

you should have introduced yourself.

[trueviking]

i dont disagree about the take out window at the family centre, it was intended to serve picnic style food and be open after the 3:00 closing...i guess maybe the logistics were difficult...i think they are still working on the fine tuning.

what does it cost to rent out the kid's room?

[armorand93]

Originally Posted by trueviking

ha...should have figured...the transit guy!

you should have introduced yourself.

Probably the only other SSP guy there. I didnt recongnize you til someone called you by your name. I also ask people if they're (insert name) alot, and they usually aren't that person, so I usually wait til I find out for sure.

After you left, a drunk guy walked up to our table, started blabbering about something, and then butted out his cigarette on the plate. The blonde woman asked him if he wanted to hear me explain the drawings, but he kept talking about his kids, or how hes 60, or not drunk, etc etc. Eventually, the FP Cafe staff managed to remove him, but outside, he was making a hugeass scene. So annoying...

Anyways, we finished up the maps, and I represented the table at the discussion. First time I spoke publically since High School to be honest, and I usually bursted out laughing at high school presentations out of nowhere, so this time I did good. lmao The reception I got was kind of surprising! I had EVERYBODY thank me on my Rapid Transit segment of it for sure. Mostly Free Press staff, but some various individuals as well. It was pretty fun!

Would've left my name for the paper, but with most of my teenage friends, they'd probably call me a nerd for the rest of time if they saw me doing all of that work.

Also wanted to spare it, so I can let SSP/CPTDB guess which papers I drew!

[1ajs]

royal albert apears to be making progress


source : http://www.facebook.com/RoyalAlbertArms

[Chadillaccc]

Originally Posted by trueviking

not construction anymore but a few summer shots of the family centre in assiniboine park.

Holy crap man! That turned out pretty wicked eh?

[Archiseek]

Nice photos TV - clearly the time of the day to look at it. I don't think it looks half as sharp during the day.

[h0twired]

Originally Posted by trueviking

what does it cost to rent out the kid's room?

Birthday parties run from 1-3pm or something and you get a staff member to run some theme program and some other stuff is provided.

$20/child.

[SKYSTHELIMIT]

Driving by the CentrePoint site yesterday they were hard at it driving piles. The beautiful music of development, WHAM,WHAM,WHAM.

Family Centre looks great TV I have plans to visit it this upcoming weekend while at the park.

Kudos to you armorand for your presentation at the FP cafe, sorry I missed it.

If I don't post before Friday happy long weekend everybody.

[Authentic_City]

Originally Posted by SKYSTHELIMIT

Driving by the CentrePoint site yesterday they were hard at driving piles. The beautiful music of development, WHAM,WHAM,WHAM.

I drove by at 9:45 pm last night and they were still at it! Are they working around the clock or what?

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by h0twired

Birthday parties run from 1-3pm or something and you get a staff member to run some theme program and some other stuff is provided.

$20/child.

Cheap!

[1ajs]

anyone in the know on what the latest scoop with 104/108 princess is?

[Bluenote]

I remember us discussing this before when we were talking about funding for the French 1/4 and that French were the second highest population to English. I found this in Wikipedia, actually a great read on our city.


Population Percentage
English 141,480 22.6
Scottish 114,960 18.4
German 106,260 17.0
Canadian 104,130 16.6
Ukrainian 96,255 15.4
French 87,165 13.9
Irish 86,580 13.9
Polish 50,555 8.1

I am guessing after this would be the Asian and middle east ones etc.




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winnipeg,_MB


BTW, anyone have some pictures of the Zoo from inside. I was there on Friday but did not get any picture, looked like a lot has come along, but did not have time to see the west side of the construction.

[1ajs]

vid does from his visit in june