Post by Booker Thee on Nov 17, 2004 11:30:04 GMT -5
DOWNTOWN REBORN!
Opening-night gala begins a new era for city centre
by David Kuxhaus and Jason Bell, Winnipeg Free Press
THE switch was flipped and the downtown electrified as the city's newest and boldest landmark, the MTS Centre, had its long-awaited coming-out party.
The glitzy Portage Avenue arena is seen as the anchor of a downtown renaissance that promises to bring Winnipeggers flocking back to the city's core, as 12,000 people did for last night's gala concert.
The party featured stage heroes like The Guess Who's Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman, Chantal Kreviazuk and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
But make no mistake, the real star was the MTS Centre.
Hours before the musicians took to the stage, thousands lined up outside as huge spotlights washed over the sleek, state-of-the-art facility.
Everybody wanted to be a part of history.
One of the city's most powerful developers, Sandy Shindleman, said it's a milestone moment in the history of Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba.
"It's an exciting moment," said Shindleman, president of Shindico Realty Inc. "It's a showcase building for our city. It's absolutely magnificent."
Others, like Mary Pawluk, stood outside, camera in hand, wanting to capture the moment.
"It's so beautiful," said Pawluk.
The 71-year-old woman used to work at Eaton's, the city landmark that was torn down to make way for the entertainment facility.
"I loved that old Eaton's building, but I love this one too," said Pawluk. "We needed something for the young kids."
Young, old and everyone in between were out last night to soak up the grand opening.
The city's glitterati turned out for a reception and a c**ktail party they'll never forget.
"I've heard the word 'wow.' I've heard the word 'stunning.' I just want to say this is awesome," said Mayor Sam Katz, anticipating years of entertainment at the centre. "We're only getting started." he said.
Business leaders, meanwhile, see the lights of the MTS Centre as a draw for their ventures.
"This is going to liven up the downtown," predicted Albert Eltassi, president of Peerless Garments.
The doors didn't open until 7 p.m. but people began arriving long before that.
Normally those same folks would be beating a fast exit for the suburbs but tonight they were headed the other way.
"It was like rush hour only we were coming downtown," said Penny Dettman.
Indeed, Portage Avenue and its arteries teemed with traffic.
And for the first time in years, the streets of the river city were alive with the glow of a thousand faces.
They strolled down normally barren blocks and lingered around hotdog carts, soaking up the unseasonably warm weather.
"Business is good," said vendor Matt Paquet. "But I wish I was inside. Maybe next time."
Paquet had good reason to wish he was inside, where about 12,000 concert-goers were poised for a night to remember.
Patiently they waited, some for up to 30 minutes in a block-long line at the main entrance of the MTS Centre at Portage and Donald.
When they finally got in, they weren't disappointed.
Nowhere to be heard were the rumblings and reverberations that plagued concerts in the old Winnipeg Arena. Instead, the sound was sweet and clear, touching every corner of the centre with clarity
"It's wonderful," said Kevin Walters, manager of Manitoba Film and Sound. "It's nice to see everybody walking down Portage Avenue. Everybody is excited. There's an energy here."
"The MTS Centre is the focal point for the city's cultural future," said promoter Kenny Boyce.
"If anything important is going to happen in Winnipeg, it will have to happen here," Boyce predicted last night.
Built smack-dab in the middle of the business district, the $133.5-million project has been touted as a key piece in the revival of the city's downtown.
Business officials expect up to three million new visitors a year will be lured to the city centre by the new arena and other developments, including the Manitoba Hydro office tower on Portage Avenue and the new Millennium Library at Graham Avenue.
David Asper coined a nickname for the building.
"It's the booth. You know, MTS Centre, telephone booth. It's the booth."
But what a booth, Asper said. He said his kids, aged 14, 13 and 10 were wowed by the technical wizardry that went into the new arena.
"My sons went to touch their seats, to see the video board, to experience the centre and both my boys' jaws dropped to the floor. It's better than Calgary and that's the way the kids look at it," Asper said.
That's a blessing, said Asper, because the city's future depends on keeping its youth and the "booth" is on its way to becoming a symbol they'll identify with all their lives, Asper said.
"These kinds of symbols create roots in the minds of our young people and that doesn't necessarily keep them here but it helps," Asper said.
The dream of a downtown arena dates back 30 years when Bobby Hull was skating circles around his opponents as a star with the Winnipeg Jets of the now-defunct World Hockey Association.
In 1974, the talk began that the existing 20-year-old arena on Maroons Road was too small, and the WHA club wanted to buy it, but the city wouldn't sell it.
Amazingly, any hope for a downtown arena was nearly snuffed out for good when city council voted against construction -- sending the Jets south to Phoenix the following year.
But interest still didn't die.
Manitoba Moose owner Mark Chipman began rattling cages three years later, beginning the task of convincing private investors and governments to work together on a home for his professional club.
Finally, by 2001, the dream was on the drafting board.
An arena deal was secured for the Eaton's site, and construction began in April 2003.
The three levels of government contributed $40 million to the building. The rest was raised by the private sector under the umbrella of True North Sports and Entertainment, the group that owns the MTS Centre and the Manitoba Moose hockey team.
Bars, restaurants and retail stores are hoping to harvest the rewards.
Shindleman said he was never part of efforts to construct an arena, but was always supportive of the idea in principle.
There were times, he said, when it seemed hope was lost.
"I was always skeptical because there were so many false starts," he said.
Shindleman is spearheading efforts to redevelop the historic Bay building, and is also behind the construction of the new credit union building going up on the site of the former Capitol Theatre on Donald Street.
Those aren't the only projects taking place in downtown Winnipeg right now.
The soon-to-be-completed Millennium Library and the proposed new office tower for Manitoba Hydro are each just a slapshot from the new home of the Manitoba Moose.
Shindleman said the MTS Centre is a catalyst for future development.
"It's imperative we keep the momentum going," he said. "We can't keep trying to re-ignite it every decade or so."
Other businesses can expect to benefit too, thanks to a major upgrade of the downtown walkway system, a major part of the MTS Centre's construction.
Homeless people in Winnipeg have 12,000 reasons to be thankful for last night's opening concert.
The Ladybug Foundation for the Homeless, founded by eight-year-old Hannah Taylor, received a $12,000 cheque from True North Sports and Entertainment, the new arena's owner, through the donation of $1 from the sale of every ticket sold.
Taylor, who began earlier this year to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless by getting donations for the jars she painted with ladybugs, said she was thankful to receive the money.
"Three years ago I saw a man eating out of a garbage can and I still remember that," she said, adding she feels better now that she knows that she is helping homeless people.
Concerns that there wouldn't be enough parking available for arena-goers turned out to be unfounded. Most people were able to find spots within a few blocks of the arena. According to MTS Centre officials, there are 30,000 spots within a 10-minute walk of the facility.
Dorian Morphy, MTS Centre's director of business operations, said more than 1,000 parking spots were sold on the reservation system, and an equal amount has been purchased for tonight's Manitoba Moose game.
For some, the food at the concession stands was one of the stars of last night's big show, with new and exotic fare for a sports venue, like pickerel fingers, breaded cheese curds, platters, wraps and salads. Prices were up from the old barn on Maroons Road, with beer selling at $6.50 a draft, compared with the old price of $5, but while some complained, others said it was worth the price.
Opening-night gala begins a new era for city centre
by David Kuxhaus and Jason Bell, Winnipeg Free Press
THE switch was flipped and the downtown electrified as the city's newest and boldest landmark, the MTS Centre, had its long-awaited coming-out party.
The glitzy Portage Avenue arena is seen as the anchor of a downtown renaissance that promises to bring Winnipeggers flocking back to the city's core, as 12,000 people did for last night's gala concert.
The party featured stage heroes like The Guess Who's Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman, Chantal Kreviazuk and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
But make no mistake, the real star was the MTS Centre.
Hours before the musicians took to the stage, thousands lined up outside as huge spotlights washed over the sleek, state-of-the-art facility.
Everybody wanted to be a part of history.
One of the city's most powerful developers, Sandy Shindleman, said it's a milestone moment in the history of Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba.
"It's an exciting moment," said Shindleman, president of Shindico Realty Inc. "It's a showcase building for our city. It's absolutely magnificent."
Others, like Mary Pawluk, stood outside, camera in hand, wanting to capture the moment.
"It's so beautiful," said Pawluk.
The 71-year-old woman used to work at Eaton's, the city landmark that was torn down to make way for the entertainment facility.
"I loved that old Eaton's building, but I love this one too," said Pawluk. "We needed something for the young kids."
Young, old and everyone in between were out last night to soak up the grand opening.
The city's glitterati turned out for a reception and a c**ktail party they'll never forget.
"I've heard the word 'wow.' I've heard the word 'stunning.' I just want to say this is awesome," said Mayor Sam Katz, anticipating years of entertainment at the centre. "We're only getting started." he said.
Business leaders, meanwhile, see the lights of the MTS Centre as a draw for their ventures.
"This is going to liven up the downtown," predicted Albert Eltassi, president of Peerless Garments.
The doors didn't open until 7 p.m. but people began arriving long before that.
Normally those same folks would be beating a fast exit for the suburbs but tonight they were headed the other way.
"It was like rush hour only we were coming downtown," said Penny Dettman.
Indeed, Portage Avenue and its arteries teemed with traffic.
And for the first time in years, the streets of the river city were alive with the glow of a thousand faces.
They strolled down normally barren blocks and lingered around hotdog carts, soaking up the unseasonably warm weather.
"Business is good," said vendor Matt Paquet. "But I wish I was inside. Maybe next time."
Paquet had good reason to wish he was inside, where about 12,000 concert-goers were poised for a night to remember.
Patiently they waited, some for up to 30 minutes in a block-long line at the main entrance of the MTS Centre at Portage and Donald.
When they finally got in, they weren't disappointed.
Nowhere to be heard were the rumblings and reverberations that plagued concerts in the old Winnipeg Arena. Instead, the sound was sweet and clear, touching every corner of the centre with clarity
"It's wonderful," said Kevin Walters, manager of Manitoba Film and Sound. "It's nice to see everybody walking down Portage Avenue. Everybody is excited. There's an energy here."
"The MTS Centre is the focal point for the city's cultural future," said promoter Kenny Boyce.
"If anything important is going to happen in Winnipeg, it will have to happen here," Boyce predicted last night.
Built smack-dab in the middle of the business district, the $133.5-million project has been touted as a key piece in the revival of the city's downtown.
Business officials expect up to three million new visitors a year will be lured to the city centre by the new arena and other developments, including the Manitoba Hydro office tower on Portage Avenue and the new Millennium Library at Graham Avenue.
David Asper coined a nickname for the building.
"It's the booth. You know, MTS Centre, telephone booth. It's the booth."
But what a booth, Asper said. He said his kids, aged 14, 13 and 10 were wowed by the technical wizardry that went into the new arena.
"My sons went to touch their seats, to see the video board, to experience the centre and both my boys' jaws dropped to the floor. It's better than Calgary and that's the way the kids look at it," Asper said.
That's a blessing, said Asper, because the city's future depends on keeping its youth and the "booth" is on its way to becoming a symbol they'll identify with all their lives, Asper said.
"These kinds of symbols create roots in the minds of our young people and that doesn't necessarily keep them here but it helps," Asper said.
The dream of a downtown arena dates back 30 years when Bobby Hull was skating circles around his opponents as a star with the Winnipeg Jets of the now-defunct World Hockey Association.
In 1974, the talk began that the existing 20-year-old arena on Maroons Road was too small, and the WHA club wanted to buy it, but the city wouldn't sell it.
Amazingly, any hope for a downtown arena was nearly snuffed out for good when city council voted against construction -- sending the Jets south to Phoenix the following year.
But interest still didn't die.
Manitoba Moose owner Mark Chipman began rattling cages three years later, beginning the task of convincing private investors and governments to work together on a home for his professional club.
Finally, by 2001, the dream was on the drafting board.
An arena deal was secured for the Eaton's site, and construction began in April 2003.
The three levels of government contributed $40 million to the building. The rest was raised by the private sector under the umbrella of True North Sports and Entertainment, the group that owns the MTS Centre and the Manitoba Moose hockey team.
Bars, restaurants and retail stores are hoping to harvest the rewards.
Shindleman said he was never part of efforts to construct an arena, but was always supportive of the idea in principle.
There were times, he said, when it seemed hope was lost.
"I was always skeptical because there were so many false starts," he said.
Shindleman is spearheading efforts to redevelop the historic Bay building, and is also behind the construction of the new credit union building going up on the site of the former Capitol Theatre on Donald Street.
Those aren't the only projects taking place in downtown Winnipeg right now.
The soon-to-be-completed Millennium Library and the proposed new office tower for Manitoba Hydro are each just a slapshot from the new home of the Manitoba Moose.
Shindleman said the MTS Centre is a catalyst for future development.
"It's imperative we keep the momentum going," he said. "We can't keep trying to re-ignite it every decade or so."
Other businesses can expect to benefit too, thanks to a major upgrade of the downtown walkway system, a major part of the MTS Centre's construction.
Homeless people in Winnipeg have 12,000 reasons to be thankful for last night's opening concert.
The Ladybug Foundation for the Homeless, founded by eight-year-old Hannah Taylor, received a $12,000 cheque from True North Sports and Entertainment, the new arena's owner, through the donation of $1 from the sale of every ticket sold.
Taylor, who began earlier this year to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless by getting donations for the jars she painted with ladybugs, said she was thankful to receive the money.
"Three years ago I saw a man eating out of a garbage can and I still remember that," she said, adding she feels better now that she knows that she is helping homeless people.
Concerns that there wouldn't be enough parking available for arena-goers turned out to be unfounded. Most people were able to find spots within a few blocks of the arena. According to MTS Centre officials, there are 30,000 spots within a 10-minute walk of the facility.
Dorian Morphy, MTS Centre's director of business operations, said more than 1,000 parking spots were sold on the reservation system, and an equal amount has been purchased for tonight's Manitoba Moose game.
For some, the food at the concession stands was one of the stars of last night's big show, with new and exotic fare for a sports venue, like pickerel fingers, breaded cheese curds, platters, wraps and salads. Prices were up from the old barn on Maroons Road, with beer selling at $6.50 a draft, compared with the old price of $5, but while some complained, others said it was worth the price.