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

Ask us a question

Do you have any questions about the City of Winnipeg Archives or about the Archives Strategy? We want to hear from you and we will strive to answer your question within three business days. 

Read more about the consultant’s findings here  in their report and a summary of the findings available here. 

Thank you!

  • Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

    I would like to receive any reports or recommendations regarding the survey and the City of Winnipeg Archives, please.

    Michel asked almost 3 years ago

    Feedback from the survey is currently being considered and a summary of the engagement process will be posted on the project webpage. We will be notifying project subscribers when the engagement summary is posted as well as other documents for the Achieves Strategy. You can subscribe to project update emails on the top left corner of the project webpage. 

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    Question from Workshop #1: Where is the funding coming from - City, Provincial, and Federal?

    almost 3 years ago

    A funding source for the project has not yet been secured.

    funding
    funding
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    Is it true I can’t park for more than 2 hours on streets even if I drive away, go shopping then come back? I hear the photo truck takes pictures snd mails you tickets if you exceed 2 hours total for the day. If that is do, your signs need clarification. That is not what they say

    Drk asked almost 3 years ago

    Thank you for your question regarding on-street parking. Although this is not related to the Archives Strategy, here is the response:

    When a time limit is in effect for a parking space, section 12(6) of the Winnipeg Parking By-law prohibits a vehicle from parking on the same side of the block as that space more than once per day.

    That means, if a driver parks in a space with a two-hour time limit at 12:00 p.m., they may remain parked in that space only until 2:00 p.m.  They may leave and return during that window, but the two-hour limit does not restart.  By 2:00 p.m. (two hours after they first arrived), the vehicle must be removed from that side of the block and may not be parked there again until the next day. Please note, when paid parking applies to a parking space, a vehicle may be parked in that space for up to 30 extra minutes (beyond the posted time limit) as long as the fee for parking in that space during that extra time has been paid.

    This restriction is only in effect when time limits are in place.  For example, if the two-hour time limit is in place for that parking space from 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., the same vehicle could return to that side of the block after 5:30 p.m. and remain parked there until the time limit is in place again the next morning.

    With respect to parking signage, you may be interested to know that the Winnipeg Parking Authority is currently administering a parking guide pilot project in the Exchange District aimed at clarifying the rules for drivers. If you visit the Exchange District and use one of the new guides, scan the QR code under the new guides or call 311 to let us know your thoughts.

    The Winnipeg Parking Authority is also in the process of developing a five-year strategic plan. If you are interested in the Winnipeg Parking Strategy, please subscribe for updates at winnipeg.ca/parkingstrategy. For future inquiries about parking, please contact 311.

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    Has there been a consideration to use the now available space at The Bay for the Archives? Given the cost of a new building of $20 million + and or renovation of the William location, I would think for future growth and acquisitions The Bay would be a perfect fit for further investigation. I see this question is answered below, and perhaps an increase of the scope of the consultant's study is needed fairly quickly. Central location, across from the WAG, and also right across from the Manitoba Archives . And I'm sure the Manitoba Archives will need more space eventually as well. Can't think of a much better fit for the City.

    Steven Stothers asked almost 3 years ago

    Thank you for that feedback! 

    We are evaluating feedback on the importance of a central location and that will be considered when making a recommendation and site selection.

    hudson's bay,site selection
    hudson's bay site selection
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    Is a copy of the Pico report on the Carnegie Library available?

    Michel asked almost 3 years ago

    The Pico report is available here: https://engage.winnipeg.ca/12418/widgets/49063/documents/57329 

    All of the Documents related to this project are located together on the webpage as well if you would like to explore some other information: https://engage.winnipeg.ca/archivestrategy/widgets/49063/documents 

    pico
    pico
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    How can a individual that was in Child and Family services in the 80s find anything about who they lived with and if anything traumatic happened to them

    janny asked almost 3 years ago

    We suggest you contact Child and Family Services with the Province of Manitoba to inquire. 

    Child and Family Services Branch
    4th Floor, 777 Portage Avenue

    Winnipeg MB R3G 0N3

    Email: cfsd@gov.mb.ca (general inquiries – do not use to report child protection concerns)

    Phone: 204-945-6964

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    Why is there no mention of using the empty and boarded up Hudson Bay building for the Winnipeg Archives?? It is central, has the space, elevators, storage space, parking space for users and staff, and loading bay space to move the archival material around. It would be a shame to not even consider costing this opportunity out and include it in the proposals. Yours truly, Chris Butterill

    HeritageW asked almost 3 years ago

    It was not within the scope of the consultant’s study to assess the feasibility of the HBC Building for the City’s archives program. The work currently being done to update the archives’ program needs and facility requirements will help us to evaluate facility options and potential sites. Once feasible options for the archives have been identified and public feedback has been considered, further evaluation of sites may follow. 

    Please tell us what priorities are important to you by getting involved: https://engage.winnipeg.ca/archivestrategy/widgets/92059/key_dates

    site selection,hudson's bay
    site selection hudson's bay
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    Regarding Option 1 and the search for a suitable site - has the site of the recently demolished Public Safety Building been considered? The location would be ideal, accessible to citizens as well as city personnel. I believe there is interest - perhaps a requirement - to include some kind of public facility into the proposed development of this site - by Centre Venture I believe.

    J. Baltessen asked almost 3 years ago

    The Public Safety Building site has not been considered to date. It was not within the scope of the consultant’s study to conduct a site selection exercise for the archives. The work currently being done to update the archives’ program needs and facility requirements will help us to evaluate facility options and potential sites. Once feasible options for the archives have been identified and public feedback has been considered, an option will be recommended to Council and a site selection would follow if required. 

    Check out the summary of the options here: https://engage.winnipeg.ca/archivestrategy?tool=story_telling_tool#tool_tab

    pubic safety building,site selection
    pubic safety building site selection
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    How many square feet are required for the archives?

    Labroco asked almost 3 years ago

    In the Program Facility Requirements, the consultant concluded that the required area for the archives, in net square meters, is 2,283 (24,574 square feet). For more details about the space requirements, please see pages 19-33 of the consultant’s report: https://engage.winnipeg.ca/12418/widgets/49063/documents/57328 

    facility,facility size
    facility facility size
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    Question from Workshop #1: Are we in danger of renovating 380 William Ave. and ending up with a huge overage bill like the Old Post Office changing it to the Police Service?

    almost 3 years ago

    The City’s Materials Management Policy governs the procurement of goods and services, including those for design and construction, among other things. It contains numerous checks and balances to ensure City employees are acting in good faith and behaving ethically as projects progress. It also provides direction on how procurement occurs, ( the need for solicitation of competitive offers); how bids are evaluated, (including standards contractors must meet); and how contracts and project approvals are provided by various levels of the Public Service. The Policy can be found here:

    https://winnipeg.ca/finance/findata/matmgt/policy/policy.pdf

    The City also has an Audit Department which is mandated to  review the performance of operations to ensure money was expended with due regard to economy and efficiency. This Department conducts reviews from time to time on projects, including construction, to determine if all applicable protocols were followed. 

    The Audit Department’s Mandate can be found here:

    https://winnipeg.ca/audit/department.stm#mandate

    costs
    costs