Archives Strategy

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Consultation has concluded

Be part of the future of the City of Winnipeg Archives

Your feedback on the archival program and facility options was used to ensure the priorities of the public are captured and understood by the Public Service prior to making recommendations for addressing the facility and program recommendations for the Archives.

The stories of Winnipeg and its citizens are told in the records and artifacts managed by the City of Winnipeg’s Archives, and we want all residents to be inspired to explore our history. The City’s archival collection is unique and irreplaceable and includes minutes, by-laws, maps, photographs, drawings, and artifacts.

To ensure long-term preservation and access to these irreplaceable items, the City is exploring facility options to address the storage and preservation needs for its growing archival collection, to allow enough space for its programming, and to create an accessible space that allows Winnipeggers to continue to have access to records and conduct research.

Stakeholder input, facility and programming needs, and costs are being considered in the development of a long-term, sustainable solution in the Archives Strategy.

Background

The Archives and Records Control Branch (Branch) is responsible for managing the City of Winnipeg’s (City) records and archives. The Branch currently operates out of two leased facilities: its Corporate Records Centre is located in the Inkster Industrial Park and is used to store all inactive or semi-active administrative records; while its archival collection is stored at 50 Myrtle St.

The archival collection was previously housed at the former Carnegie Library, located at 380 William Ave. However, damage to the building during renovations and maintenance resulting from major rainstorms in 2013 meant that the collection and operations had to be relocated. The facility is currently not being used, and requires significant funding to re-develop it for the archives. The City is currently reviewing possible uses for the building.

The facility at 50 Myrtle St. was intended as a short-term solution, and is not well-suited for archival storage and programming. The Corporate Records Centre will continue to be used for administrative records, but is not suitable for the archival collection.

Through the Archives Strategic Development Plan, the City is exploring facility options to address the storage and preservation needs for its growing archival collection, to allow enough space for its programming, and to create an accessible space that allows Winnipeggers to continue to have access to records and conduct research.

A consultant was asked to conduct a jurisdictional scan of like-sized archives, consult with stakeholders, identify program needs and space requirements, and identify options and financial projections for securing and adapting a facility for the archives.

To support the review of options for the facility, additional work was done to update the specifications, designs, and construction costs for re-developing 380 William Ave for the archives.

In fall 2021, the Public Service prepared recommendations for the future of the archival collection and program and submitted recommendations for Council’s consideration of the project and funding.

Be part of the future of the City of Winnipeg Archives

Your feedback on the archival program and facility options was used to ensure the priorities of the public are captured and understood by the Public Service prior to making recommendations for addressing the facility and program recommendations for the Archives.

The stories of Winnipeg and its citizens are told in the records and artifacts managed by the City of Winnipeg’s Archives, and we want all residents to be inspired to explore our history. The City’s archival collection is unique and irreplaceable and includes minutes, by-laws, maps, photographs, drawings, and artifacts.

To ensure long-term preservation and access to these irreplaceable items, the City is exploring facility options to address the storage and preservation needs for its growing archival collection, to allow enough space for its programming, and to create an accessible space that allows Winnipeggers to continue to have access to records and conduct research.

Stakeholder input, facility and programming needs, and costs are being considered in the development of a long-term, sustainable solution in the Archives Strategy.

Background

The Archives and Records Control Branch (Branch) is responsible for managing the City of Winnipeg’s (City) records and archives. The Branch currently operates out of two leased facilities: its Corporate Records Centre is located in the Inkster Industrial Park and is used to store all inactive or semi-active administrative records; while its archival collection is stored at 50 Myrtle St.

The archival collection was previously housed at the former Carnegie Library, located at 380 William Ave. However, damage to the building during renovations and maintenance resulting from major rainstorms in 2013 meant that the collection and operations had to be relocated. The facility is currently not being used, and requires significant funding to re-develop it for the archives. The City is currently reviewing possible uses for the building.

The facility at 50 Myrtle St. was intended as a short-term solution, and is not well-suited for archival storage and programming. The Corporate Records Centre will continue to be used for administrative records, but is not suitable for the archival collection.

Through the Archives Strategic Development Plan, the City is exploring facility options to address the storage and preservation needs for its growing archival collection, to allow enough space for its programming, and to create an accessible space that allows Winnipeggers to continue to have access to records and conduct research.

A consultant was asked to conduct a jurisdictional scan of like-sized archives, consult with stakeholders, identify program needs and space requirements, and identify options and financial projections for securing and adapting a facility for the archives.

To support the review of options for the facility, additional work was done to update the specifications, designs, and construction costs for re-developing 380 William Ave for the archives.

In fall 2021, the Public Service prepared recommendations for the future of the archival collection and program and submitted recommendations for Council’s consideration of the project and funding.

Consultation has concluded

  • Archives Strategy Update - February 2023

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    On November 10, 2021, the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development, Heritage and Downtown Development approved that a the City of Winnipeg Archives Renovation Capital Project be referred to the 2023 budget process.

    The Committee also recommended to the Executive Policy Committee that the Public Service report back on the steps that are being taken to ensure the City of Winnipeg Archives is fulfilling its obligations to truth and reconciliation. The report on Archives Responses to Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action was presented to the Executive Policy Committee on April 20, 2022 and was accepted by the Committee as information.

    On February 8, 2023, the Executive Policy Committee tabled and referred the Preliminary 2023 Operating and Capital Budgets to the budget review process which includes $12.6 million for the Winnipeg Archives - The Winnipeg 150 Legacy Project (page 171 in the Supplement to the 2023 Preliminary Budget). This portion of the budget will be presented at a special meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development on Thursday March 9 at 9 a.m. Details can be found here.

  • Summary of feedback and recommendations now available

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    A summary of feedback from the Archives Strategy engagement and the appendices are now available.

    In addition to information gathered through public engagement, the City also conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the options and considered this information, along with the consultant’s reports, in the development of recommendations.

    An administrative report with recommendations for the Archives programming and facility will be presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development, Heritage, and Downtown Development (SPC-PD) on November 10, 2021. If you would like to appear as a delegation, please contact the City Clerk's Department by 4:30 p.m. on November 9, 2021.

  • Thank you! Engagement is now closed

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    Thank you to all who participated in Archives Strategy.

    From May 25 to July 5, we heard from you through an online survey, Q&A tool, workshops, and written submissions. We heard from 208 survey respondents and over 50 workshop participants. Over 2,000 residents visited the webpage to learn more.

    Your feedback on the archival program and facility options will be used to ensure the priorities of the public are captured and understood by the Public Service prior to making any recommendations for addressing the facility and program recommendations for the Archives.

    Feedback is currently being considered and a summary of the engagement process will be posted online.

  • A few weeks left to have your say!

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    Thank you to all who attended the Archives Strategy workshops on June 16 and 17.

    If you were unable to attend, we encourage you to view the presentation slides in the Document Library and provide your comments through the survey or ask us a question.

    The survey will remain open until July 5.

  • We want to hear from you!

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    Ways to get involved:

    In 2019/2020, experts contracted by the City completed a jurisdictional scan of like-sized archives, consulted with stakeholders, identified program needs and space requirements, and identified options and financial projections for securing and adapting a facility for the archives.

    In January 2020, the team met with stakeholders to gather their feedback. Meetings included representatives from City departments, the Manitoba Historical Society, Heritage Winnipeg, the Winnipeg Foundation, the Association for Manitoba Archives, the Centre du Patrimoine, and the University of Winnipeg. Notes from these meetings are available here.

    The feedback provided by stakeholders was then used by the consultant when developing the Program Facility Requirements.

    A report on the consultant’s findings and a summary of the findings is now available. There’s also a summary of the archives proposed service improvements and facility options.

    Additional work completed in 2021 to update the specifications, designs, and construction costs for re-developing the former Carnegie Library (380 William Ave.) for the archives is available here. This work was done to support the review of options by members of the Public Service.

    The City is now reaching out to stakeholders and the community to collect feedback on the consultant’s findings to determine recommendations for Council consideration.

    Join us for a virtual community workshop to discuss the future of the City of Winnipeg Archives. We will be presenting and then breaking out into smaller groups to discuss service improvements and facility options.

    Date: Wednesday, June 16

    Time: 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

    Location: Zoom, register here

    Format: Presentation followed by small group discussions - workshop workbook here


    Date: Thursday, June 17

    Time: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

    Location: Zoom, register here

    Format: Presentation followed by small group discussions - workshop workbook here

    If you have questions about the process or findings, please Ask Us.

    If you or your organization would like to send a written submission, please send to archives@winnipeg.ca. Written submissions will be attached to a public engagement summary and submitted for Council consideration.

    For those who cannot attend, but would like to add their feedback, please complete a survey below.