City Centre C.C. moves new Thrive location forward

West End

City Centre

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 05/02/2025 (433 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City Centre community committee held a regular meeting on Jan. 28.

The committee approved a zoning amendment agreement for a site at 555 Spence St., currently vacant, to make way for a permanent home for Thrive Community Support Circle, a local non-profit which provides a resource centre, a childcare centre and a thrift shop for those in need of support.

If completed, the new Thrive location will be two storeys tall and include a clothing depot, warehouse, several offices, a kitchen, a classroom, and a children’s playroom. The organization’s original location was demolished, and it currently operates out of Knox United Church (400 Edmonton St.).

“Thrive is a really great community asset, they do so much great work in the community,” said Coun. Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre), in support of the amendment agreement. “Everyone’s really excited … they did come to me with this proposal first so I could have the opportunity to see what was going on and really understand the project and their needs, so lots of great work. They did do a lot of extensive community outreach on this, which I really appreciated.”

The committee also approved a rezoning and variance for a proposed mixed-use development — residential, as well as a hotel — to be located at 701 Ellice Ave., between Victor and Toronto streets.

The building would be six storeys tall. If completed, it will contain two rental spaces for businesses on the first floor; 36 hotel rooms between the second, third and fourth floors; and 14 residential units on the fifth and sixth floors.

“I really do think we need development along there. We’re starting to see a lot of vacant properties, I’m very concerned about that. We do need to bring some new energy into this community,” Gilroy said, adding that although she would have liked to see it be a strictly residential project, she believes it’s an “interesting concept,” especially due to the central location and proximity to the University of Winnipeg.

“I’ve had issues with Airbnbs in the area, and so I will be kind of monitoring this and working with my community stakeholders and neighbours to really ensure that this project is what the community needs once it’s done,” she said. “But I do think that, at the end of the day, we need some development, and overall this is a good project and we should be moving forward with it.”

Finally, the committee approved a per capita grant of $1,425 for the Keystone Rainbow Curling League to help with hosting the Bison Cup, an annual bonspiel to be held from Feb. 13 to 16.