Soaked celebration: Plaza at True North Square opens to public under rainy skies

The much-anticipated public plaza at True North Square officially openedThursday but a steady drizzle threw a wet blanket on the party.

Plans for the plaza, nestled between True North Square's first two towers, were first revealed in 2016. Construction fencing waspulled away early Thursday morning for the first time, allowingpeople to access the courtyard, which wasbacked by $17.6 million from the province and City of Winnipeg.

"After so much anticipation, we are thrilled to be able to showcase the many features of this public plaza to the citizens of Winnipeg," True North Development presidentJim Ludlowsaid, calling it "a historic moment for our city" and the "new reality of downtown Winnipeg."

To celebrate,Winnipeggerswere invited for free coffee and to play table games that were to be set up throughout the space, which includes seating areas, prairie grasses and a 56-jet water feature.

But mostly, the rain-sleeked concretereflected back empty chairs and the umbrellas of the few people that showed up during the morning.

JordanCoatesis a graphic designer who works downtown he went to check it out.

"It's beautiful. They did an awesome job. My favourite part is looking straight up and just with the curves of the building it looks so nice. It's just not like anything else we've had in Winnipeg before."

The formal opening at 1 p.m., with an honour song to recognize the history of the Treaty 1 land True North Square is built on, was moved indoors.

About 200 people attended, many of themgovernment officialsor representatives fromTrue NorthSportsand Entertainment and its partners.

The party, however, is scheduled to go all day and the forecast calls for the rain to let up by mid-afternoon, when musicians and performers are scheduled to "bring the space to life."

Food trucks will be on site in the afternoon while evening activities will includeappearances by Mick E. Moose and the Winnipeg Jets promo team, leading up to the Jets versus New Jersey Devils pre-season game.

Beautiful urban space

The wet conditions didn't dampen the enthusiasm of KevinDonnelly, a senior vice-president with TNSE.

"People have been walking by for a couple of years and it's been a construction site, but now we hope people will take the opportunity to come by. It's very exciting for us," said Donnelly.

The design and purpose of the plaza were inspired by entertainment districts around arenas in other cities, including L.A. Live in Los Angeles and Bell Place in Montreal.

The biggest influence probably came from Maple Leaf Square in Toronto, Donnelly said.

True North set out to design"a beautiful urban space where people can gather," he said.

He sees the space being used for summertime yoga sessions, an expansion for the downtown farmersmarketor even a wedding venue.

During Jets games, it could host a tailgate-type experience, where hockey fans gather and hear live music before heading into the arena.

"We're open to ideas and we're open to possibilities. Literally, the list is endless and we're just thrilled to be able to get started," Donnelly said.

"Winnipeggers are hardy so there's lots we can do in winter, summer, spring, fall."

The plaza,south of Graham AvenuebetweenHargraveand Carlton streets, is part of the $400-million True North Square development driven by the owners of the Jets. It is kitty-corner to Bell MTSCentre, which is also owned by TNSE.

True North Square consists of four towers with retail shops, offices and residential spaces, and a full-service hotel.

The first tower, 242 Hargrave St., opened in June 2018 and welcomed its first tenant, law firm Thompson Dorfman Sweatman, the next month.

The17-storey office and retail buildingwill be joined by the second tower, at 225 Carlton St., in spring 2019. That 25-storey building will contain office, retailand residential spaces.

True North Square's third and fourth towers, the Sutton Place Hotel and Residences, will be built as part of Phase 2 at the corner of Carlton Street and St. Mary Avenue. Theanticipated completion date is2021.

The entire development will also be integratedintoWinnipeg's skywalknetwork.

Plaza opens at True North Square

6 years ago

Duration 1:56

The much-anticipated public plaza at True North Square officially opened Thursday but a steady drizzle threw a wet blanket on the party.