3°c Overcast
11°c Light rain
Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Park makeover takes first steps
This bird will have more room to spread its wings as Assiniboine Park triples the size of its duck pond in the next year. (WAYNE.GLOWACKI@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)
THE first steps toward Assiniboine Park's $180-million makeover will be taken today as plans to revamp the popular duck pond and build a new playground and family centre are made public.
The Assiniboine Park Conservancy, the agency poised to assume control of the park, plans to spend $10 million over the next year to triple the size of the duck pond and skating rink and replace the park's aging playground with natural-looking play structures. A family centre with washrooms, a casual restaurant and a Winnie the Pooh commemoration will also be built.
The work will likely begin next year, conservancy CEO Margaret Redmond said Wednesday.
Some preliminary work could begin this year, but only if the agency secures enough cash from private donors and government sources, she said.
Over the next 10 years, the conservancy hopes to raise $180 million to build a new conservatory, give dilapidated Assiniboine Park Zoo a complete facelift -- including a state-of-the-art polar bear exhibit -- and fix up roads and improve landscaping throughout the park.
The agency must first launch a fundraising campaign and finalize an agreement with the city to operate the park. The conservancy has presented the city with a business plan, but does not know when it will assume control of the park.
Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz said he would like to see the process move forward as soon as possible.
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 8, 2009 B1
More Local
- Back to Top
- Return to Local
Poll
Proudly brought to you by:
Most Popular Local
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Man hit before fatal blow, friend testifies
- Katz ponders sanity of new rules
- Band, council defy feds on aid
- Police cadets to deal with drunks
- Thieves strip $20K worth of copper wiring from gravel pit
- Pukatawagan RCMP looking for two dangerous suspects
- Union Station to receive $6.5-million makeover
- Gang members get lengthy sentences for jailhouse beating
- Kelvin project lesson in sacrifice
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Cyclist killed in collision on Higgins identified
- Severe storm warning issued
- A SHED is not enough
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Football star's fatal punch probed at manslaughter trail
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- Cyclist killed in Higgins Avenue crash
- Sex-scandal inquiry to be heard in city
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
- Boozy night out, lying cost city man big bucks
- Neighbours shaken by two deaths
- Teen hit by vehicle on Pembina
- Rapid buses rattling homes
- Severe storm warning issued
- Has Gimli gone to pot?
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Cyclist killed in collision on Higgins identified
- Dr. Seuss banned from B.C. classroom
- Triple whammy hits homes
- Diplomat saved thousands from Hitler
- His life made our world a better place
- Band, council defy feds on aid
- Cyclist killed on Higgins Avenue was passionate mentor, volunteer
- Cummings steps out of reunion for sick mom
- Katz ponders sanity of new rules
- Pukatawagan RCMP looking for two dangerous suspects
- He was enjoying view, bear came out of blue
- Kelvin project lesson in sacrifice
- Hydro headquarters named Canada's greenest office tower
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Pooch paradise, where champion beagles run free
- His life made our world a better place
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- Winnipeg man recovering after campground bear attack
- Weeding out the chemicals
- He was enjoying view, bear came out of blue
- Diplomat saved thousands from Hitler
- U of W rejects copyright deal as 'money grab'
- Chemicals not par for the course
- Bear pulls camper from outhouse, before being shot
- Has Gimli gone to pot?
- Pooch paradise, where champion beagles run free
- His life made our world a better place
- Scientists lash Harper government for pulling plug on Experimental Lakes Area
- RRC's old gem a beauty
- Attack on hockey ref nets jail time
- Osborne Village voted Canada's best neighbourhood
- Our Village is as good as it gets
- Judge faces second complaint
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.