A new residential development will be built on the site of a former hydro steam plant, fronting Waterfront Drive, thanks to a $1.1 million investment under the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement (WPA). This parcel of land, environmentally impacted as a result of hydrocarbons, a by-product of burning coal, will be excavated and cleaned to prepare for redevelopment. The land will be excavated with the removal of 42,000 metric tonnes of environmentally impacted soil and cleaned up to prepare for a planned residential development.

Manitoba Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs Steve Ashton; Joy Smith, Member of Parliament for Kildonan – St. Paul, 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; and Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz, made the announcement today.

The SKY Waterfront project, located on former Winnipeg Hydro lands, will be the fifth new residential structure built along Waterfront Drive since August 2004.

“The provincial government saw the vision of what Waterfront drive could be when we partnered on building the roadway,” said Minister Ashton. “Now as residential buildings rise beside the river and people move to new homes as they are completed, the revitalization of the area is a reality.”

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting growth in Winnipeg’s downtown by facilitating residential development projects such as this one,” said MP Smith. “This $1.1 million investment will encourage the development of amenities required by area residents and contribute to the revitalization of the downtown core.”

“Turning a brownfield site into a greenfield site for downtown residential development is a smart investment,” said Mayor Katz. “This project is a win/win both economically and environmentally. We’re happy to prepare a piece of land that was an eyesore and unusable, into something that will add to the growth and appeal of Waterfront Drive.”

As part of the asset agreement with the City of Winnipeg, CentreVenture Development Corporation will contribute half of the proceeds of the sale of the land, $275,000, towards the environmental clean-up. The SKY Waterfront project will be the fourth new residential structure built along Waterfront Drive since it was opened in August 2004.

Situated in the historic East Exchange area, Waterfront Drive stretches from Lombard Avenue north to Higgins Avenue. The Drive incorporates a landscaped roadway, ornamental lighting, and a redesigned and enhanced Stephen Juba Park overlooking the Red River. The park features an extensive multi-user path system, open areas and several new public art works by local artists. The mixed-use development along Waterfront Drive enhances the public features of the area.

The funds announced today are under Component III - Downtown Renewal of the Winnipeg Partnership Agreement. This component program supports projects that encourage downtown living and stimulate strategic economic and cultural initiatives in the downtown.

The WPA represents a five-year, $75 million commitment by the governments of Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg to strengthen our neighbourhoods, promote economic development and enable Aboriginal citizens to fully enjoy Winnipeg’s economic and social opportunities. Interested parties are encouraged to consult the Web site http://www.winnipegpartnership.mb.ca/ for program details.

For additional information, contact:

Francine Lefebvre
Regional Manager Communications
Western Economic Diversification Canada
(204) 983-6243

Graham Gork
Communications Coordinator
Communications Services
Manitoba
(204) 945-5795

City of Winnipeg
Media Enquiries
(204) 986-6000