UWSA President Rorie Mcleod Arnould and Dr. Jim Silver, Chair Urban and Inner-City Studies – April 22, 2015. UWinnipeg is instrumental in the community redevelopment of Merchants Corner.
WINNIPEG, MB – – The North End Community Renewal Corporation (NECRC) in partnership with Merchants Inc. today celebrated its major donors who have contributed over $1.35 million dollars to the redevelopment of Merchants Corner.
“The issues that confront our inner city are legendary and the Merchants Hotel was one of the most egregious examples. This redevelopment undertaken and supported by many is an outstanding example of what can be accomplished if we have a common focus and purpose,” said donor, Mr. Michael Nesbitt.
“The Winnipeg Foundation was able to play a role in the redevelopment of Merchants Corner thanks to our donors who support great ideas, dedicated people and solid partnerships. This grant was made by the Moffat Family Fund, an endowment that has had huge impact on Winnipeg. Merchants Corner demonstrates the strength, vision and commitment of people in this neighbourhood and it’s inspiring to our entire city,” said Winnipeg Foundation CEO Rick Frost.
These funds added to the $9.1 previously announced brings the total project funding to $10.45 of the $12.8 million dollars required for this project.
Guest Speakers from University of Winnipeg and CEDA – Pathways provided details on the importance of this educational and housing hub will have to the community and city at large.
Merchants Corner is an innovative, redeveloped facility which will be an educational hub hosting the University of Winnipeg’s Department of Inner-City Studies and CEDA-Pathways to Education program. The project will feature 30 units of “Rent Geared to Income (RGI)” housing and will also include a social enterprise opportunity, common space open to the community, in which literacy programming for preschoolers will be offered among many other activities.
The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association recently announced the establishment of its first satellite location in the Merchants Corner complex at 541 Selkirk Avenue, scheduled to open in December of 2016.
For more information contact
Martin Landy Communications and Events Cooridnator
204 982-2349, martin@necrc.org
