Winnipeg, MB - Today, Mayor Sam Katz and St. Vital Councillor Brian Mayes officially opened the new St. Vital Park Duck Pond Pavilion. The 2,300 square-foot facility, located in the centre of the park adjacent to the duck pond, acts as both an outdoor picnic shelter in the summer and a heated skate change building in the winter.
The City invested $1.4 million to demolish the former duck pond shelter and construct the new pavilion which includes improved washroom facilities, improved accessibility and an increased level of safety for patrons.
“The new Duck Pond Pavilion and plaza design bring the park’s natural beauty and man-made features together in harmony,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “The new pavilion has improved washroom facilities, accessibility, and safety, and does double-duty as a covered picnic area in the summer, and as a heated change area for skating on the duck pond in the winter. I know many Winnipeggers will enjoy St. Vital Park as a little slice of nature in the City for many years to come.”
Following a public open house in May, 2012, the “wing” concept was chosen as the winning design for the new pavilion. Designed by 1x1 architecture, its iconic roof form was influenced by bird wing and body kinematics during takeoff and landing. The building and its overhanging roof were carefully manipulated to nest within the existing forest canopy so that existing trees were not disturbed.
“This is a historic day for St. Vital and St. Vital families,” said Councillor Brian Mayes. “I first came to the old duck pond shelter with my parents in 1970, and I am delighted I will be able to come here with my wife and sons to enjoy the new pavilion. Along with the new fire pit area, this will be a great new meeting place for St Vital.”
The north and south façades of the pavilion incorporate continuous bi-folding doors that enable the building to be completely open across a 55-foot-wide span during summer, allowing people and air to move freely in and out of the space. Throughout the winter months the transparent glazing system will remain closed, providing an insulated interior space while maintaining a strong connection with the surrounding landscape.
The Winnipeg Arts Council has commissioned a public art project for St. Vital Park to complement the new pavilion. A call was issued to local artists to design a fire pit and seating area. The selected artist team is comprised of Urbanink and Plain Projects, a dynamic and experienced group of artists and designers who are interested in creating public spaces that are expressive, engaging, accessible to all and that create a sense of Manitoba’s identity. For St. Vital Park, the group created Écobuage, a plaza incorporating sculpture, fire pits, seating and plantings of prairie grasses. Fire is essential to the regeneration of prairie grassland. The project reflects that relationship while also offering the human comfort and engagement of communing around a fire together, creating a visually and physically engaging new outdoor space that complements the functions of the newly designed pavilion.