Around city hall: buying local, transit changes, Kevin Walters park, Winakwa path

City to explore buy local changes

City staff will seek options to ensure local companies have “equal and fair” opportunity to compete for its contracts, following backlash over a decision to replace Salisbury House with an American-based company at two city-owned golf courses.

City council approved a call Thursday to study bid criteria that would achieve that goal, replacing an earlier proposal to create a point system that “promotes” local businesses.

Mayor Scott Gillingham initially told the Free Press he would support the points system change but later raised concerns doing so would violate trade agreements.

Gillingham also stressed Salisbury House and all other companies who competed to provide food and beverage service at the golf courses were treated fairly.

Aramark Canada — the Canadian branch of a major U.S.-based company — took over the service at the Kildonan Park and Windsor Park golf courses April 1, after Salisbury House provided it for 16 years.

Transit route changes on the way

A new round of Winnipeg Transit changes will roll in soon.

The tweaks aim to increase service and simplify routes, after last June’s introduction of a new primary network triggered complaints among some riders.

On Thursday, city council approved a call to extend the on-request zone 106 south, from Edison Avenue to Kimberly Avenue, by adding evening and weekend service. That takes effect June 21.

The following changes will also take place on fixed Transit routes in the fall schedule, which is tentatively slated to begin Sept. 6:

• FX4: Gateway-Portage — Move the terminal at Polo Park from St. James Street to Portage Avenue, allowing the FX4 to turn left out of Polo Park.
• 48: Transcona Boulevard-McMeans — Extend the route from Kildonan Place to the Crossroads Station at Walmart.
• 649: Chevrier — Extend the route to continue along Scurfield Boulevard through more of Whyte Ridge.
• 650: McGillivray — Instead of turning onto Scurfield Boulevard, this route would continue along Fleetwood Road.
• 678: Waverley West-Chancellor & 679: Waverley — Move the terminal for both routes from Dafoe Road to University Crescent. Route 678 would travel along University Crescent, while Route 679 would travel on Chancellor Drive instead of Abinojii Mikanah.

Park to bear name of music industry leader

The Odeon Park plaza will be renamed to honour Kevin Walters, a leader in Winnipeg’s live music scene.

City council has approved the name Kevin Walters Plaza for the space in front of the Burton Cummings Theatre.

Walters, who died in 2014, worked with Manitoba Film & Music, helping local bands reach national and global audiences, and helped organize the 2006 Grey Cup Festival in Winnipeg. He was also a founder of the Prairie Music Awards, which was later renamed the Western Canadian Music Awards.

He played a key role in bringing the Juno Awards to Winnipeg in 2005 and 2014.

Winakwa path to expand

A path behind Winakwa Community Centre will grow.

City council has accepted a $200,000 provincial grant to fund a second phase of work, which would include a shade structure and paved surfacing.

The first phase of asphalt and granular paths were in place last year, linking an outdoor rink, outdoor classroom space, baseball diamond, community garden and tennis courts, along with connections to the community centre, Windsor Park Collegiate and College Beliveau.