Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
And how about Winnipeg?
I think most people would agree that the arena helped revitalize the downtown core tremendously.
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No doubt. MTS Centre was an empty old Eaton's building before it was built. At its basest form, the building connected the skywalk so you can walk through downtown without going outside. This helped a lot of businesses in areas like City Place which had a boom simply from the increased foot traffic.
It also resulted in a number of bars, restaurants, hotels and condos being developed. Downtown Winnipeg used to be a place I avoided at all costs. I lived in Winnipeg from 1992 to 1996 and 2002-05. Before MTS Centre, I could count on one hand the number of times I went downtown. Now, if I was to ever move back I would live downtown in one of the new condo developments.
And really, that's what you need to truly revitalize the core. Arena creates activity around it (bars/restaurants) which makes it more of a destination, condos get built, more bars and restaurants and shopping get built as demand for services increase, more condos and office towers get built and the cycle goes on.