Splish splash at Forks

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 15/4/2012 (2504 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Since The Forks opened in 1989, few developments at the site, if any, were received without controversy. The hotel, parkade and other buildings were opposed. Even the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, which some critics say is one of the nicest buildings in Canada, was criticized as too large for the site and because it would interfere with the pedestrian bridge and the vista to St. Boniface.

Everyone has strongly and honestly held ideas about The Forks, particularly the notion that it should be green space and a gentle transition from the forested riverbank to the density of Portage and Main.

It's no surprise, then, that the latest plan for a water park and hotel is already running into stiff opposition from those who believe it is the wrong concept for the area.

When the idea was first proposed three years ago, it seemed somewhat premature, considering the uncertainty over future development in the area. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights, in particular, had designs on the land for parking and possibly a hostel for the students from across Canada who will be visiting the museum.

The new proposal, however, includes a 450-car parkade, and the museum has other options for housing its young visitors, but first it must find the money to finish the project, which won't open until 2014 at the earliest.

The city has tried for several years to find a developer to build a water park, but until now, the $7-million grant it has been offering as an incentive was insufficient. Some critics claim the process was unfair because everyone didn't get an opportunity to bid on the land, but the city is under no obligation to hold competitions for its land. In fact, the city frequently sells land to buyers in exactly the same way.

The development will, of course, need to be architecturally suitable for the site, which means an ordinary highway hotel won't do. Following a 90-day period of due diligence, the city would still have the opportunity to reject the deal if the proponents submit substandard plans.

Another location, such as the old stadium site, might have been preferable, but the city can't tell private developers where to build. The proponent wanted this particular site, and there is no good reason so far to turn it down.

The new development will bolster the retail outlets at The Forks as well as provide a positive spinoff for the museum, reinforcing the site as Manitoba's leading tourist destination.