‘One more step… to re-imagine downtown’: Air Canada Window park redesigned as colourful Indigenous-themed meeting place

A downtown park at 355 Portage Ave. has been redesigned as a safe, bright and colourful gathering place.

Now supporters of the $3.75-million redevelopment will strive to keep the updated Air Canada Window park in that state, shaking its past issues with open drug use and other social challenges.

“Today, it’s just one more step… in the ongoing work that we’re doing to strengthen and to rebuild and to re-imagine downtown,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham.

The renovated park features gardens with Indigenous plants, large trees, a curved metal sculpture with blue and green pieces, wooden benches and a multi-purpose stage, with the words “I want to see you dance when the drum beats” etched into its base.

The design aims to reflect traditional Indigenous stories, with clear sightlines to improve safety and a new storm water management system to enhance drainage.

Gillingham acknowledged the space has faced challenges, including open drug use. He said partnerships between the city, other governments and social agencies will aim to prevent that from returning.

“I think if we continue to see more and more people use this space, that will help. And… let’s get people, if they’re struggling, the help they need,” he said.

Gillingham said he supports a crackdown on open drug use, should Winnipeg Police Service pursue one, and called for all governments to focus on ensuring tough penalties are doled out to people selling drugs.

“The people that are struggling (with drug use) and need help, let’s get them help. But the people that are pushing this poison, making these drugs, trafficking them, let’s crack down on them. And those people, to me, need to feel the full force of the law because they are destroying lives in our community,” said Gillingham.

Kate Fenske, chief executive officer of the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, said the renewed park follows years of consultation with the community, noting the BIZ and APTN began planting Indigenous gardens more than a decade ago.

Plans are in place to offer some Indigenous programming at the site to help monitor and preserve it. Sessions are currently set for Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., beginning this Thursday. Activities will include drumming, traditional dance and language lessons, funded by a Manitoba government grant.

Fenske said more public programs are needed to ensure the park is well-used as a gathering space and keeps its new look and feel.

“We need the community and we need more partners to come together to activate this park, so it can be a welcoming and safe place for everyone who lives, works, visits and spends time downtown,” she said.

The federal government provided $2.5 million from its Build Communities Strong Fund for the project, and the city spent $1 million.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

X: @joyanne_pursaga