Winnipeg is ready to rock

WINNIPEG - MARCH 30, 2005 - Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of frontline workers, Winnipeg will be all tuned up and ready to host the 34th edition of Canada’s Juno Awards from Friday, April 1 to Sunday, April 3.

“We’re hosting the biggest party in Canada this weekend”, said Mayor Sam Katz, “and like any good host, we’re working hard so we can showcase our city in the best possible way. What better place than Winnipeg, the heartland of Canadian music, to celebrate the achievements of these outstanding artists.”

The Juno Awards are Canada’s premiere music awards show. This nationally televised awards program is broadcast to two million viewers across Canada.

Close to 1,200 musicians and music industry people will descend on Winnipeg this weekend for the awards celebration with the culmination being the sold-out Awards show on Sunday, April 3 at 7:30 pm at MTS Centre.

The economic impact for Winnipeg is estimated in the $4-$5 million range along with the spin-offs from national exposure and media coverage. The City of Winnipeg is providing numerous support services for Juno Awards weekend. See the attached backgrounder for additional information.

Backgrounder

City support for Junos

• The Public Works department, Street Maintenance has been working to spruce up the downtown and will be using street sweepers and power washers to clean the streets around the MTS Centre and the area of the CTV Red Carpet Production as well as the JunoFest venues and major downtown hotels. The streets will also be cleaned free of all litter and debris after the Show on Sunday April 3.
• Public Works Traffic Services is working on closing down parts of Portage Avenue staggered throughout the weekend leading up to the show on Sunday April 3, where Portage Avenue will be closed from Memorial to Donald Street.
• Winnipeg Transit will be rerouting approximately 20 bus routes off of Portage Avenue onto Graham Avenue with the start of service on Friday, April 1. Graham will become “Transit Only” from Main to Vaughan. Exact closures and times are on the map attached.
• Public Works Traffic Services will also be closing Smith Street in front of the Burton Cummings Theatre on Friday, April 1 from 2:00 pm to midnight so the Aboriginal Music Host Committee can have a red carpet arrival of their guests. The Odeon Triangle Park on Smith and Notre Dame has also been booked for programmed entertainment in the park as people are arriving. The City will be erecting a temporary street sign for that section of road temporarily renaming it - “Red Road”.
• The Winnipeg Parking Authority has agreed to provide temporary taxi stands at all JunoFest venues and two of the major hotels starting on Friday April 1 at 7 pm until Sunday April 3 at 6 am.
• The Winnipeg Police Service and the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service will be providing services to ensure public safety throughout the weekend as well as at the Red Carpet and the Juno Awards show. CTV have hired approximately 30 Special Duty Officers for their traffic control and security requirements.
• The City of Winnipeg has committed $275,000.00 to the Juno Awards.