Countdown on for Portage Place clock

Time is running out to find a new home for Portage Place’s venerable Edmonton Court Clock.

The clock, with its unique terra cotta panels, has stood tall at the downtown mall since it opened in September 1987. Prior to that, it was atop Winnipeg’s “Gingerbread” city hall, installed in 1903.

“For decades, people set their watches, timed parades, funerals, and parties, around that clock. It was the city clock,” said Christian Cassidy, a Winnipeg historian and blogger.

True North Real Estate Development finalized a deal to purchase the mall last year and has begun a $650-million mixed-use redevelopment. As such, the clock can’t stay.

“The clock will be dismantled and put into storage and what we hope is that somebody will come forward with a credible idea, project, or plan,” said Sean Kavanagh, senior director of strategic communications with True North.

No one has stepped forward to claim the clock and Cassidy said it will likely be difficult to find a new spot.

“It isn’t a simple clockface. There’s 20 feet of brass mechanics and clock bells that hang down 10 or 12 feet,” said Cassidy. “It’s something you have to build around.”

The clock was removed from city hall before the building was demolished in 1962 due to structural concerns. It was put into storage before Portage Place came calling in the mid-eighties.

Cassidy said he feels it’s the city’s responsibility to make sure the historic timepiece is installed elsewhere.

“This was the official city clock for 60 years. It’s the last remnants of the old city hall,” he said.

In a statement, a spokesperson confirmed the city is not interested in owning the relic.

“The city has taken the lead on preserving the various components of the clock. We won’t be the long-term owners, but we are actively looking for a future home,” the statement said.

Kavanagh said True North has partnered with Heritage Winnipeg to try and find a new home. The executive director of the non-profit said she appreciates the efforts by True North and the city to find a solution.

“We don’t want people to get discouraged though,” said Cindy Tugwell. “The clock was in storage for over 20 years before it was put in Portage Place.”

Stored underneath the clock in granite casing is a time capsule that was sealed at Portage Place the day it opened. It is supposed to be unearthed in 2062, 75 years later. It is being stored with other city artifacts in the basement at The Forks.

“We might open it up to the public to see one day but there’s no plan for that right now,” said Adam Dooley, communications director at The Forks, on the time capsule.

The 1.2-million-square-foot Portage Place redevelopment will create more than 200 housing units, a health-care services tower, a grocery store, community centres and office space for social agencies.

The housing portion of the project is expected to be completed by 2027 with the remaining development expected within the next three or four years.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca