Red Road Lodge founder honoured

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/10/2019 (2207 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Richard Walls knows the value of time.

Walls, the founder, board chair and chief executive officer of Red Road Lodge, has received countless awards and been recognized over many years for his involvement in a variety of community efforts since moving to Winnipeg from Saskatchewan several decades ago.

He’s worked as a professional interior designer, developer, urbanist and social responsibility advocate. His passion for heritage preservation has played a major role in revitalizing the Exchange District,where he bought and renovated several buildings. Later, he purchased buildings on north Main Street.

“I believe that the Main Street community and all communities need a master plan and vision that recognizes and honours the past but creates a blueprint or planning guide for the future that has well balanced economic, cultural and social values components and includes both a private sector and public sector component,” Walls said.

Walls is one of five recently named heroes in this year’s Our Manitoba Heroes, Compassion in Action, individuals doing great things in the community, to be honoured at the annual Celebration of Community Dinner this month.

“The Red Road Lodge venture really started as an urban renewal project. It was an effort to try and preserve and rebuild the section of Main Street from Disraeli to Higgins Avenue by restoring old buildings, taking the focus off of poverty, drugs and alcohol and helping rebuild lives using arts and culture as a catalyst for change with a strong focus on Indigenous teachings. Integrating and encouraging the marginalized, primarily Indigenous population to help rebuild their community by making positive lifestyle choices.”

When Walls purchased the New Occidental Hotel, there were no more liquor and cigarette sales, the bar was closed and the VLTs removed. With the help of dedicated volunteers and staff members, it became known as a dry or abstinence-preferred facility and was renamed the Red Road Lodge.
Roland Vandal, who was once homeless, has been one of Red Road Lodge’s directors for the past seven years, and appreciates the guidance he has received from Walls.

“He has never told me what to do, he creates opportunities, and leads by example. I have watched Richard tirelessly work to help others for years. If it doesn’t get done properly, he will just do it himself. This creates a chain of people who rally around the causes Richard stands for. I believe in Richard and I believe in what he stands for. Richard is the type of person who creates opportunities for those who are willing to work towards them,” Vandal explained.

For Walls, any new initiatives in South Point Douglas or further north might include partnering with other organizations to build and encourage others to build affordable housing, so Red Road Lodge residents can transition into more independent living environments.

But first, Our Manitoba Heroes Celebration offers some public appreciation.

“It’s nice to be recognized and rather humbling. It’s more important to me that people recognize the importance of the things I do to help improve the quality of life of those less fortunate than me and to help improve our city by helping to rebuild communities and lives.”