Winnipeg, MB - OurWinnipeg, an unprecedented year-long initiative to create a comprehensive plan that will chart Winnipeg’s social and physical development during the next 25 years, has reached the half-way point with a Call to Action and a new round of public consultation.

The Call to Action for OurWinnipeg, a draft document that will be presented to the Executive Policy Committee (EPC) early next month, resulted from conversations with more than 30,000 Winnipeggers through a series of public events, roundtable meetings and online postings.

OurWinnipeg is now seeking additional public input at eight Open Houses that will be held across the City between November 17 and 26. The discussions will cover the vision for the City for the next 25 years, key paths that will help the City plan towards this vision, and early actions proposed as starting points. A wide range of issues - from housing to transportation to Winnipeg's overall city competitiveness – is included in the Call to Action.

Michelle Richard, Coordinator of OurWinnipeg, said “the Open Houses will take public engagement to a higher level as we turn the 80 or so ideas and priorities identified during the initial round of public consultation into do-able programs.”

She described OurWinnipeg, which will issue its final report next spring, as “groundbreaking. No other city has involved the entire community right from the start as part of a long-term planning product.”

The Call to Action for OurWinnipeg contains the following priorities:

• Managing growth for the benefit of all Winnipeggers as the City looks to accommodate a projected 180,000 new citizens over the next 20 years;
• Creating a sustainable plan for long-term, social, environment and economic growth;
• Developing “complete communities” that offer a range of options for working, living and recreation through accessible design and mixed-use development, as well as a vibrant downtown, and
• Connecting the transportation network and streets to accommodate more users more effectively

The public can review the full 55-page report by clicking on the SpeakUpWinnipeg icon on the City’s website, www.winnipeg.ca.

Anyone wishing to be informed by email of the ongoing progress of the OurWinnipeg initiative can register by clicking on the e-subscribe link on the City’s home page and following the prompts.

The dates, times and locations for the eight Open Houses are:

November 17, 2009
Red River College (3 pm-8 pm)
160 Princess Street

November 18, 2009
Sturgeon Creek CC (5 pm-8 pm)
210 Rita Street

November 19, 2009
Windsor CC (5 pm-8 pm)
99 Springside Drive

November 20, 2009
Access Transcona (5 pm-8 pm)
845 Regent Avenue

November 23, 2009
Thunderbird House (5 pm-8 pm)
715 Main Street

November 24, 2009
Canad Inns Fort Garry (5 pm-8 pm)
1824 Pembina Highway

November 25, 2009
Bronx Park CC (5 pm-8 pm)
720 Henderson Highway

November 26, 2009
Canad Inns Garden City (5 pm-8 pm)
2100 McPhillips Street