WINNIPEG - September 8, 2008 – The Winnipeg Library Foundation today received a $230,000 donation from the Rotary Clubs of Winnipeg as part of the Millennium Library fundraising campaign. The generous gift will allow the Library to purchase additional materials to support literacy in the community.

A room dedication ceremony and cheque presentation will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, September 8 (International Literacy Day) in recognition of the Rotary Clubs’ financial support. The Millennium Library’s Local History Room has been named in honour of the Rotary Clubs of Winnipeg.

“It’s wonderful to be working in partnership with an organization like the Rotary Clubs of Winnipeg that shares the Library’s goals of increasing literacy and reading in the community,” said Rick Walker, Manager of Library Services.

The donation stems from a decision in 2003 by the Rotary Clubs of Winnipeg to publish a book of early photographs of our city and donate the proceeds to the Millennium Library. Retitled Winnipeg: Images from a Century Ago, the new edition reproduces the contents of the 1903 original and adds a new preface by the Honourable Duff Roblin. The book showcases 600 stunning photographs of Winnipeg’s architecture, streetscapes, public spaces and city life at the turn of the 20th century.

“Rotary Club members have been generous with their time and talent, and we hope to work with them again in the future. The Rotary Clubs have given us an additional 1,000 books that we hope to sell over the next year to keep on giving to literacy at the Millennium Literacy,” said Karen Keppler, Chair of the Winnipeg Library Foundation.

“The Winnipeg: Images from a Century Ago book was a unique partnership between the Rotary Clubs of Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Library Foundation, and several distinguished citizens of Winnipeg. We are pleased to have been able to assist with the development of the Millennium Library through this project,” said Don Phillips, Chair of the Rotary Clubs of Winnipeg Book Project.

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WINNIPEG - September 8, 2008 – A rapid transit system and dedicated bicycle paths linking south Winnipeg to the downtown is one step closer to shovels going in the ground following a $138-million funding agreement reached between the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba, Premier Gary Doer and Mayor Sam Katz announced today.

"This is a significant infrastructure project linking south Winnipeg to our downtown," said Doer. "It will help improve transit ridership and efficiency, while helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet Kyoto targets. I am pleased to
partner with the mayor on this important initiative."

The first stage of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor will receive a $138-million investment and will extend from Jubilee Avenue to The Forks with a second, future stage to run from Jubilee Avenue to Bison Drive with both stages incorporating bike paths into their construction.

"I've always said rapid transit is part of our city's future," said Katz. "Today's announcement takes a comprehensive approach to link our city with hubs focusing on mixed residential and commercial development that will provide the financial stability needed to make this important project a reality. By laying the groundwork today, we can move ahead on providing Winnipeggers with quick, reliable and green transportation alternatives at a time when gas prices are an unprecedented high."

Winnipeg will contribute $30.75 million which includes $17.5 million from the 2008 Federal Transit Trust. The province will
match the federal transit trust contribution of $17.5 million and will fund 50 per cent of the net operating costs of the rapid transit system through its existing 50-50 transit funding agreement, fulfilling its legislative commitment under the Climate Change Act passed earlier this spring.

The new rapid transit corridor will utilize the innovative tax increment financing tool to capture any incremental growth from residential and commercial infill development along the rapid transit corridor. Tax increment financing is an investment and development tool that reinvests property and school taxes into certain areas to encourage infrastructure development that otherwise would not take place.

As part of today's agreement, the mayor and premier also agreed to jointly seek a one-third federal contribution to the second stage of the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor and agreed to work together to continue the development of a comprehensive rapid transit system for the city of Winnipeg.

Southwest Transit Corridor Map [2.42 mb]

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