'We live where we live and it's very cool:' design tips from Winnipeg

Architects and urban planners in Regina are hoping to learn how to make the most out of winter by following "Winterpeg's" example. 

Several groups, including Regina Advocates for Design, are bringing in Paul Jordan, CEO of the North Portage Partnership in Winnipeg to talk about designing for a winter city. 

"Our attitude is we live where we live and it's very cool, so let's be authentic and do the things we can do," Jordan said. 

The Forks has made an effort over the last decade to foster a culture of outdoor fun during the winter. 

One of the things Jordan is most proud of is how Winnipeg has been able to capitalize on a great frozen river trail. 
In recent years, they've had a zamboni out on the ice to clear up to 10 kilometres of river paths where people can skate.
Jordan said the secret is to be flexible and give other people a platform to be creative. 

"Everyone does the same thing. They'll try and figure out the end without working on the beginning. So they'll do the classic festival or very hands on programming," said Jordan. 

He said their secret has been setting up amenities (such as kilometres of cleared ice) and then allowing "creative impulses that are in the community to come and do their crazy ideas" on the ice.

Restaurant on ice 

For three weeks in the winter a popup restaurant appears on the ice for a truly unique fine dining experience.

"It's not about the parking, it's not about the weather, it's not about the price. Winnipegers are flocking to this thing," said Jordan. 

Jordan said the restaurant exists because they created a space that other people could make their own. 

He's also very proud of their international design competition for warming huts, a project that draws hundreds of submissions from around the globe to create unique and beautiful warming huts along the river path. 

Jordan said some of these winter programs have put Winnipeg on the map internationally, but he admitted, at times, it's been a bit harder convincing local people they live in a "cool city". 

"We had 350,000 skaters over six weeks last year so it's starting to dawn on people that we are cool in our own way."

Shift in cold weather culture 

Jordan was born and raised in Winnipeg and said he's seen a major shift. 

"For years we were trying to hide from winter and pretend it didn't happen, but over the last 15 years the Forks decided, 'Hey, why are we running from this?'"

Jordan admitted there is nothing you can do when the weather is truly frigid. "We know there's going to be 20 days or so that will not be worth being outside, so we just don't bother. We work on the days that it's pleasant." 

Paul Jordan will be speaking at 7:00 p.m. November 5th at the MacKenzie Art Gallery theatre. The presentation is free and open to the public.