The Forks history goes back much further than 25 years. The Assiniboine and Red Rivers have a rich, unique history that has shaped Winnipeg into what it is today. This year, 2014, is the 25th anniversary of The Forks as we know it today.
1988: Forks Renewal Corporation is established 26 years ago.
1989: The Forks National Historic Site officially opens with
a Riverwalk, amphitheater, boat dock, heritage adventure playground and
interpretive area.
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| The Riverwalk. |
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1989: The Forks Market opens – The Forks Market, as we know
it now, has an antique yet modern feel. Look one direction and you see weathered
bricks, look the other direction and you see a glass atrium. The Forks Market
was built by joining two brick cartage company stables. The original stables are
now over a century old.
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| The Forks Market being built. |
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| Atrium of The Forks Market under construction. |
1990: National Sculpture Competition for the Path Through Time
was awarded to Manitoba artist Marcel Gosselin.
Sunlight shining through this sculpture illustrates people’s influence
on this land throughout history. Bronze carvings of tools are reflected onto
the stone of the sculpture at different times of the year as the sun’s path
moves through the sky. The Wall Through Time forms a graphic retelling of historic events that
took place at The Forks throughout its 6,000-year history.
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| Path Through Time. |
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| Wall Through Time. |
1990: The opening of the Canopy area and skating rink.
1991: Construction of The Forks Historic Port is completed
which features layered landscaping and a lighthouse.
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| The Forks Historic Port during construction. |
1993: Oodena Celebration Circle opens as the spiritual
centre of The Forks. Eight sculptural steel armatures surrounding the circle
are used as guides marking the celestial orientation. The three-metre deep bowl
in the Oodena Celebration Circle is used as seating for live theatre.
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| Oodena Celebration Circle |
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| Oodena Celebration Circle overlooking Inn at the Forks |
1993: The Johnston Terminal was transformed into a retail
office complex including Explore Manitoba Centre. The original building was
built between 1928 and 1930 and was used as a giant cold storage warehouse.
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| Johnston Terminal |
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1993: The Explore Manitoba Centre opens featuring
information and displays highlighting Manitoba’s diversity and culture.
1994: Manitoba Children’s Museum opens in what was formerly
called the Brakes and Boiler Building. The B&B Building was built in 1889
and is now known as the Kinsmen Building.
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| Manitoba Children's Museum under construction. |
1995: The Forks North Portage Partnership is created with a
mandate “to act as a catalyst, encouraging activities for people in the
downtown area through public and private partnerships, revitalization
strategies; and to work to ensure financial self-sufficiency.” The Partnership helps
ensure The Forks remains a special and distinct, all-season recreational space
that embraces historical, cultural, residential, and/or commercial uses.
1999: Scotiabank Stage and Festival Park are built for the
1999 Pan Am Games held in Winnipeg. Main stage concerts were held at Scotiabank
Stage. The Pan Am Games monument located beside Inn at The Forks still stands
today. The monument served as the flame cauldron for the Pan Am Games.
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| Scotiabank Stage and Festival Park during Canada Day. |
1999: Manitoba Theatre for Young People moves into the
28,000 square-foot CanWest Global Performing Arts Centre at The Forks.
1999: A former steam plant building, built in 1947, is
converted into a television studio. Today it is home Citytv which broadcasts
the local Breakfast Television show.
2000: The 21 gambling sticks created by artist Robert Houle
are installed along the Riverwalk as an Aboriginal millennium tribute.
2003: The three-level parkade opens at The Forks.
2004: Winnipeg and St. Boniface are connected once again after
the completion of the Broadway Promenade pathway and Esplanade Riel pedestrian
bridge. The iconic Esplanade Riel was
designed by Etienne Gaboury who is the invited architect for Warming Huts
v:2014. The Esplanade Riel is the only bridge in North America featuring a
restaurant.
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| Esplanade Riel |
2004: The five-storey Inn at the Forks is constructed. It has 116 guest rooms and suites and a
reception area for up to 200 people. It is the first Canadian application of
the “Redi-Maid” system that ensures maximum energy efficiency without
disturbing hotel guests.
2006: Plaza at The Forks Skate Park is completed and covers
a total area of 44,000 square feet. It is Canada’s best and largest urban skate
plaza and bowl complex. Plaza at The Forks has the distinction of being
sought-out by world-renowned skaters such as Tony Hawk and Bam Margera.
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| Tony Hawk at Plaza at The Forks Skate Park. |
2008: The Guinness Book of World Records recognizes the Red
River Mutual Trail as the world’s longest skating rink at 8.54 kilometres.
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| Red River Mutual Trail. |
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2008: Construction begins on the Canadian Museum for Human
Rights. It is the first new national
museum created in Canada since 1967 and the first national museum built outside
the National Capital Region. The purpose of the museum is to increase
understanding and awareness of human rights, promote respect for others, and
encourage reflection, dialogue, and action.
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| Canadian Museum for Human Rights under construction. |
2009: Part of our commitment to reduce our carbon footprint
we initiated Target Zero. So far we have competed a geothermal heat pump
system, biofuel, bio composting, water use, and recycling projects. To
date, we have reduced our greenhouse gas emissions by 42% (448 tonnes of CO2e)
and reduced our heating costs by 14%.
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| Composting system at The Forks. |
2010: The first annual Warming Huts: An Art + Architecture
Competition takes place.
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| Warming Hut on the Red River Mutual Trail. |
2014: Canadian Museum for Human Rights is set to open
September 20, 2014.
The Forks is more than just an historical site or a meeting place. It is both physically and culturally the heart of Winnipeg. Over 25 years of delicate heritage restoration made The Forks into what it is today. The Forks embraces not only summer but winter activities. Over 4 million visitors visit The Forks every year with the number of visitors in the winter rivalling the summer. With the opening of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in the fall this has been a well-rounded 25 years at The Forks.
~Taylor Cole, Intern at The Forks
