FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WINNIPEG, Manitoba – A collaborative partnership between the public and private sectors will contribute to the rebirth of Winnipeg’s historic Central Park.

The $5.6 million rejuvenation is intended to preserve an important city venue steeped in tradition as well as to revitalize the downtown area. The project will be funded by a $2.6 million contribution from the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement, and $1 million each provided by the CentreVenture Development Corporation, The Winnipeg Foundation and the Gray Family. The project will begin with restoration of the park’s Waddell Fountain and site improvements, and will include a consultation process to invite community input. The area is home to a diverse population and range of housing.

The announcement was made today at a community celebration by the Honourable Gary Doer, Premier of Manitoba; the Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification; His Worship Sam Katz, Mayor of Winnipeg, and Rick Frost, CEO of The Winnipeg Foundation; Ross McGowan, CEO of CentreVenture Development Corporation; and Gerry Gray on behalf of the Gray Family.

“Central Park with the historic Waddell Fountain as its centerpiece has been a gathering place for generations of Manitobans, most recently the multicultural community that has grown around it,” said Premier Doer. “This unique collaboration of public and private funders will provide the means to renew this faded gem and help revitalize Winnipeg’s downtown.”

“Our Government is proud to participate in this collaborative initiative to restore and safeguard our historic places and monuments aimed at protecting our built environment,” said Minister Toews. “It is our responsibility to ensure that valued resources are managed in such a way that they are passed on to succeeding generations unimpaired.”

“During my 2006 mayoral campaign, I challenged CentreVenture here at Central Park to find innovative ways of developing more premiere destination parks downtown,” said Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz. “This announcement is a major step forward in renewing our city’s environmental infrastructure and provides those living, or wanting to live downtown with a positive destination and symbol of pride and rebirth. The revitalization of Central Park has always been a topic of conversation, but I am honoured to be here today with our funding partners to show action.”

“Central Park represents a great opportunity to provide a renewed gathering place for the large downtown neighbourhood population that lives in the vicinity,” said Ross McGowan, President and CEO of CentreVenture Development Corporation.”This announcement sets the stage for a community consultation process that will lead to the development of a plan to build a public destination that draws inspiration from the history of the site and the people who use it.”

“We see this as a wonderful opportunity to extend our lifelong commitment as citizens and businesspeople to do what we can to improve the quality of life for everyone,” said Gerry Gray, retired former owner of Blackwoods Beverages and longtime supporter of community based philanthropy. “We were inspired by Ida Albo and Jim Burns of CentreVenture’s Public Destinations initiative whose vision and enthusiasm for the Central Park project caught our imagination.”

“We look forward to working together and hearing more as this project unfolds,” said Rick Frost, CEO of The Winnipeg Foundation. “The neighbourhood consultations and residents’ feedback about Central Park’s renewal are a key element in this community initiative. Through our Green Spaces Strategy, The Winnipeg Foundation seeks opportunities and partnerships - like this Central Park project - that improve the vibrancy of our downtown; an important ingredient in a flourishing city,” he added.

The park is bordered on the north by Cumberland Avenue, Carlton Street to the east, Edmonton Street to the west, and Ellice Avenue to the south. In its heyday in the early 1900’s, Central Park was the hub of a highly fashionable area. The park was bordered by fine homes, and included walking paths, a bandstand, tennis courts, the famous Gothic-style Waddell Fountain and beautiful gardens.