New stretch of skywalks opens

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/08/2010 (5741 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

WINNIPEG–The Winnipeg Convention Centre is now connected to the rest of downtown’s weather-protected walkway system with the opening of a new stretch of skywalks this morning.

A new link between cityplace mall and the office building at 330 St. Mary Avenue, an elevated walkway outside the Delta Hotel, a link between the hotel and 330 St. Mary and an enclosed staircase and elevator opened this morning after a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The $6.2 million project was paid for by the city, province, Ottawa, cityplace, 330 St. Mary and the Delta Hotel.

Bob Eastwood of Number 10 Architecture described the project as difficult for its size, as each span required unique engineering plans and work had to be conducted at night to avoid disrupting traffic and business.

The skywalk section along the Delta Hotel offers a new view of the cathedral on St. Mary Avenue, Eastwood noted, adding all of the new walkways are glassed-in to minimize the obstruction of the downtown streetscape and also provide a safe environment.

The skywalks are also patrolled by security guards and monitored by two cameras, he said.

The elevator and staircase at the northwest corner of the Delta Hotel – a glass structure called The Gateway – will allow easier access to and from the skywalk, he said.

While the new skywalks extend the length of downtown’s weather-protected walkway system, the south end of the loop still has one gap: a surface lot sits west of the convention centre.