Students Asia Winter, Delilah Bergen, Sara Campbell; with Jino Distasio, senior city planner Glen Doney, Transcona Councillor Russ Wyatt – photo supplied
The University of Winnipeg’s Institute of Urban Studies (IUS) has begun researching possible reuse options for the existing Transcona Library through a new partnership funded by a Transcona Ward allocation.
“Winnipeg has many great post-secondary institutions located across the City; however, no such public institutions are presently located in North East Winnipeg,” said Russ Wyatt, City Councillor for Transcona. “The idea of the University of Winnipeg having a portal in North East Winnipeg, by repurposing the Transcona Library, would be a tremendous project and development for our youthful and growing community, and would also present great options for exciting cooperation with other community groups. I welcome the work now being taken by the students of the University of Winnipeg’s Institute of Urban Studies, led by Dr. Jino Distasio, who are studying this very idea.”
At its May 25, 2017 meeting, the East Kildonan-Transcona Community Committee approved a per capita grant in the amount of $1,000.00, funded from the Transcona Ward allocation, to The University of Winnipeg’s Institute of Urban Studies to support students in a third-year urban geography course to study strategic reuse options for the existing Transcona Library, located at 111 Victoria Avenue West.
Students have been tasked with studying the question: “Can the existing Transcona Library be converted and used as a community learning commons?” To answer this question, students will explore the potential use of the building for post-secondary education, and examine various scenarios related to the process of redeveloping the building, including reviewing the types of community learning commons that could be created, reviewing the characteristics of the existing site, reviewing possible site alignments in conjunction with existing City of Winnipeg city planning documents, and gauging public interest in the project.
“Transcona is a community rich in history and passion. In this class, students are gaining practical and applied skills that are transferable,” said Dr. Jino Distasio, UWinnipeg’s Vice-President, Research and Innovation and Director of IUS. “ In addition to taking an applied approach, students are recognizing how theory, policy and practice intersect when addressing a real world problem.”
Delilah Bergen is a 4th year geography student who is enjoying learning about the history of the Transcona Library and meeting with city planners and the community. “It feels really relevant to me. I am a hands-on learner, so this is a really exciting opportunity.”
On June 26, 2017, Mayor Brian Bowman and Councillor Russ Wyatt officially broke ground on the new Transcona Library site, located at No. 1 Transcona Boulevard. The new 13,500 square-foot Library will be the third library replacement under the Council-approved Library Redevelopment Strategy. The new Library will be a one-floor, fully accessible facility with more parking and an outdoor reading area, and is located in a high-traffic area that is easily accessible by bus, car, bike or on foot.
The University of Winnipeg’s Institute of Urban Studies serves as a centre of applied research excellence in community planning and development. It is an independent research arm of the University of Winnipeg that explores urban issues in a broad, non-partisan manner. The Institute focuses on inner-city, Indigenous, and urban development issues; and frequently partners with government, the private sector, and community-based organizations. Current projects include assisting in the upcoming 2018 Street Census of persons who are homeless, and an in-depth examination of the Winnipeg condominium market.
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City of Winnipeg Media Inquiry Line at 204-986-6000or via email at City-MediaInquiry@winnipeg.ca.
OR
Diane Poulin, Senior Communications Specialist, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
