Winnipeg Construction IX - Page 405

esquire · #**8081** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 3:59 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinus

I hope not too realistic. I have nothing against the actual concept itself, but I don't think it should be located at the centre of the CBD. I agree with the comments stating it would project not-so-great asthetics regarding the city centre, especially to tourists. It could have easily been located at any other of the offshoot areas of the city centre.

Pretty well anywhere other than P&M and it would be fine in my books. Broadway at Edmonton, York and Hargrave, Ellice and Donald, Bannatyne and Adelaide, you name it. But realistically I would expect something like this to go up near one of the hospitals that already have a critical mass of mental health physicians, mainly HSC but potentially also Victoria given that a lot of mental health resources are moving there.

buzzg · #**8082** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 4:13 PM**

Seems like it'd be a great fit to join forces with the Boyd Building redevelopment/expansion. Even if it was a block away on Portage... just not right at P&M, attached to a mall. Hell put it in the second/third floor of Portage Place haha.

It even just seems odd because it's such a visible, high-profile location, is that even comfortable for kids with mental health issues and their parents? I get they own the building, but that alone shouldn't be the reason to locate there.

Urban recluse · #**8083** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 4:35 PM**

I was really hoping it would be a restaurant.

CoryB · #**8084** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 5:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil’s neighbour

Rehabilitation Centre for Children had to move almost 2km away into the old MWG (Christie Biscuit) building as there was not anything available closer to the HSC campus.

The Rehabilitation Centre for Children actually joined several similar agencies is their relocation under the SSCY (Specialized Services for Children and Youth) umbrella in relocating to a single location so that clients to access services from multiple providers with a single visit.

Locating near the HSC campus, and more specifically Children's Hospital and the Ronald McDonald House may have been part of the scoring method it definitely did not restrict their search. I heard from someone involved at the time that one of the locations given some serious consideration was the old driver licensing building on Portage Ave. That location has access to parking and great transit access. It is also near the established CNIB location. Not really sure why one location was selected over the other but the final choice is fairly public now and as the old driver licensing building has also secured a tenant seems pretty safe sharing it was on the list.

--

In terms of Kidthink, it is clearly a new startup. That said the building on the corner of Portage and Main has more than one floor so perhaps the bank is still taking the main floor.

Biff · #**8085** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 5:43 PM**

Speaking of Ronald McDonald House, they will be building a brand new, much larger Ronald McDonald House likely next year (40,000 sq ft).

esquire · #**8086** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 6:06 PM**

^ Interesting. Whereabouts? And what will happen to the existing one?

Biff · #**8087** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 6:21 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

^ Interesting. Whereabouts? And what will happen to the existing one?

Can't give location yet. Unknown about existing location.

CoryB · #**8088** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 6:32 PM**

New location for RMH is clearly near Children's Hospital. As Children's Hospital isn't moving that should narrow down the possible locations significantly. Also keep in mind the proposed HSC campus expansions as those are likely land blocked from RMH.

esquire · #**8089** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 6:38 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoryB

New location for RMH is clearly near Children's Hospital. As Children's Hospital isn't moving that should narrow down the possible locations significantly.

"near Children's Hospital"... gee, thanks for the helpful response.

wardlow · #**8090** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 6:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by esquire

"near Children's Hospital"... gee, thanks for the helpful response.

Here it is (circled in black):

bomberjet · #**8091** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 6:47 PM**

Clearly.

esquire · #**8092** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 6:52 PM**

Heh.

For context, here's the current building on Bannatyne. It'll be interesting to see what happens with this property once the new facility is built.

borkborkbork · #**8093** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 7:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wpg_Guy

nice find! Interesting remodel of 200 Portage, not sure about that particular business at Portage and Main but ok, would have been nice to see a restaurant or retail on that space with the potential opening of the intersection.

If im not mistaken, Carmyn Aleshka and her husband own the entity 200 Portage Ave Inc.

Trying to imagine the business case for choosing arguably the city's highest-priced, most prominent commercial real estate for a mental-health charity.

I can't come up with anything other than (1) vanity, or (2) trying to use charitable contributions to fund a commercial development.

bomberjet · #**8094** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 7:18 PM**

It's an odd fit for sure.

Wpg_Guy · #**8095** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 7:26 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by borkborkbork

Trying to imagine the business case for choosing arguably the city's highest-priced, most prominent commercial real estate for a mental-health charity.

I can't come up with anything other than (1) vanity, or (2) trying to use charitable contributions to fund a commercial development.

I agree, they paid 16M for that building last year, not cheap when they acquire a building somewhere else at a much lower cost.

CoryB · #**8096** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 7:42 PM**

KidThink is an offshoot of Upside Down Tree.

KidThink is not currently a CRA registered charity.

Upside Down Tree is a CRA registered charity.

The bulk of Upside Down Tree's annual financial statement is donations to other charities so they aren't fronting the purchase of the 200 Portage building.

Also Upside Down Tree is paying minimal in salaries.

That said to have access to funding to purchase a $16 million building normally means there is significant outside access to capital.

This whole proposal could be a way of gaining an asset while taking a significant tax write off against it.

The other interesting piece is that private clinics like KidThink are nothing overly new in the city but the size of this one is beyond what we have seen before. It is also notable that this appears to be a private mental health centre of excellence for children and youth.

Wpg_Guy · #**8097** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 7:47 PM**

^200 Portage Ave Inc. owns the buildings, both entities are owned by the same people.

bomberjet · #**8098** Posted **Sep 6, 2018, 7:47 PM**

^Bait and switch tactics.. Seems illegal. How could they get significant tax write off if they're not a charity?

OverUnder · #**8099** Posted **Sep 7, 2018, 1:43 AM**

https://www.chrisd.ca/2018/09/06/altea-active-bridgwater-fitness-complex/#.W5HXg6RyaEc

80,000 sq ft fitness centre going up in Bridgwater Forest.

buzzg · #**8100** Posted **Sep 7, 2018, 2:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by OverUnder

https://www.chrisd.ca/2018/09/06/altea-active-bridgwater-fitness-complex/#.W5HXg6RyaEc

80,000 sq ft fitness centre going up in Bridgwater Forest.

“Bridgwater is designed with pedestrian friendly, active transportation in mind” they said. “It will be a different kind of suburb” they said.