CentrePort industrial park would be largest in Winnipeg history

A developer has filed an application for a 700-acre industrial park in Winnipeg, which is expected to bring thousands of jobs. CTV’s Jeff Keele explains.

A number of new companies and thousands of new jobs could be coming to northwest Winnipeg.

Jessiman Family Investments filed an application with the city to build a 700-acre industrial park on the city’s portion of CentrePort. Mayor Scott Gillingham says the project, known as Catalyst Park, would be the largest industrial development in the city’s history if approved.

“It’ll be a significant industrial development, and it will be transformative for Winnipeg’s economy,” Gillingham said.

With the proximity to the airport and 17 Wing, the development is expected to attract the aerospace and defence sectors.

“The CentrePort south lands are adjacent to the Winnipeg airport which really helps to develop and grow and continue to create high wage, high paying, good value jobs for Winnipeggers, all related to the sky economy,” Gillingham said.

Other manufacturing and distribution centres are also anticipated, as well as office buildings and research centres. On top of that, representatives from JFI tell CTV News they anticipate education facilities and restaurants to set up as well, to complement the influx of new workers which could number in the thousands.

“I think you’d be fair to say it might look like a bit of a campus as well,” said CentrePort CEO Carly Edmundson.

The move comes after the city and province paid to run sewer and water services to Winnipeg’s portion of CentrePort, paving the way for new businesses to move there or existing ones to expand.

“There hasn’t been that land base in the City of Winnipeg to allow those kind of investments to happen, and that kind of growth to happen, Edmundson said. “This is going to be much needed inventory.”

The mayor is voicing his support for Catalyst Park and has written a letter to the city community committee that will first vote on the plan in the coming months.

Gillingham does note in his letter there are strict drainage rules for developments near the airport so retention ponds don’t attract migratory birds near the flight paths.

“All the rules related to the Airport Vicinity Plan would have to be complied with, but the Winnipeg Airport Authority right now is one of the most eager developers of their land,” Gillingham said.

There is no timeline at this point for the committee to debate the project, or when construction could begin.