CentreVenture is recognized for its contribution towards Winnipeg’s Downtown

Main Street Revitalization

Winnipeg, Manitoba. CentreVenture Development Corporation today announced that it is the recipient of the Canadian Urban Institute’s (CUI) 2011 Urban Leadership Award (ULA) in the Category of Renewal.  The Renewal award acknowledges the importance of efforts and initiatives that renew and revitalize the places, spaces and systems within a city.

Patrick Hamilton, Chief Operating Officer of Stevenson Group Inc. nominated CentreVenture Development Corporation in the category of Renewal.  The Urban Leadership Award recipients define the very nature of “leadership” who demonstrate a calling and a vision, tenacity, creativity, energy and drive. These characteristics combined with the ability to engage others, are what distinguish ULA recipients from the mainstream.  This year the awards presentation will take place on June 9th, 2011, in Toronto, Ontario.

“We are honored to have received this recognition from our peers in the industry,” said Ross McGowan, President and CEO of CentreVenture.  “CentreVenture wishes to be highly regarded not only for our downtown revitalization efforts but also for our commitment toward ensuring social, environmental and economic benefits leading to a sustainable downtown which benefits the City of Winnipeg.”

CentreVenture has been awarded for its efforts in the Main Street Revitalization of downtown Winnipeg.  A major element of CentreVenture’s business plan was to focus on clustering development along Winnipeg’s two major downtown arteries, Main Street and Portage Avenue.  Main Street became the initial focus for revitalization due to its high amount of vacant and derelict buildings and a 50 year plague of disinvestment.

At the end of 2010, CentreVenture concluded their three year business plan.  During the period from 2008 to 2010, CentreVenture exceeded 90 percent of its targets, participated in excess of $250,000,000 in downtown development, led critical planning initiatives, opened dialogue with Downtown stakeholders and set the stage for a major shift in investment philosophy.

The Canadian Urban Institute is a Toronto-based not for profit organization with a national and international reach. Through their work they seek to create a world of thriving, sustainable, harmonious and engaged urban regions.  The Urban Leadership Awards program is an annual initiative of the Canadian Urban Institute designed to recognize those who have made significant contributions to improving the quality of life in Canada’s cities and urban regions.

CentreVenture Development Corporation was created in June 1999 as an arms lengthagency of the City of Winnipeg.  CentreVenture’s mandate is to stimulate downtown revitalization by creating an environment for private sector businesses and government to work together and to promote the downtown to investors, businesses and residents. CentreVenture serves as an advocate for downtown and a leader in promoting development by identifying opportunities, creating partnerships, forming innovative improvement strategies, providing information and by serving as an accessible conduit to support initiatives.

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For more information:

Ross McGowan

204-954-7733

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