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Monday 22 September 2008

Weekend Update - I Love Manitoba (5) The Airport

I was closer to home this weekend and thought I would check out the new and old airports.

James A. Richardson International Airport
James A. Richardson International Airport
James A. Richardson International Airport
The J.A.R. is coming along nicely. You can get a real sense of what it's going to look like. This led me back to the old WAA. The tired, old lady staring wearily across the tarmac at the upstart that will cause her demise ! Before I get to her, though, here is a bit of Winnipeg's airport history....


Stevenson Field c 1928
(rareaviationphotos.com)

Winnipeg's first "official" airport came about in 1928 when the Winnipeg Flying Club opened Stephenson Aerodrome in the R.M. of St. James.

Stevenson Aerodrome (click for source information)

When Trans Canada Airlines was created in the 1930s, the airport was simply a
section of the Trans Canada Airline hangar in St. James.

Stevenson Aerodrome (click for source information)

In December 1952, a special-built passenger addition was made to the hangar, with a decidedly bus depot look. In 1958 the name was changed from Stevenson Aerodrome to
Winnipeg International Airport at the request of the Federal Government.

Winnipeg Int'l Airport ca. late 50s (click for source information)

As the popularity of air travel grew, a new custom built airport was needed. Construction on the current WAA, designed by Green Blankstein Russell and Associates, was constructed form 1960 to 1964.

Opening Ceremonies, January 1964
Winnipeg International Airport 1969

As with many airports, Winnipeg's underwent a number of changes over the years that removed some of its original sleek lines with add-ons to the interior and exterior. The most extensive of the alterations was in 1984.

In my mind, it is still a really interesting building and I shall miss it.
Here are some of the pics I took today.

Airport Interior
Airport Interior
Exterior, Teminal Building Exterior, Teminal Building
Administration / Tower Building Administration / Tower Building Administration / Tower Building Administration / Tower Building

Finally, what will happen to the art ?! Presumably it will not be going to the new airport.

The airport has had a fair bit of funky art in it's time. I don't remember this, for instance:

Solar Cone by Gerald Gladstone

These, of course, are still with us:

Airport Art Airport Art
Mosaic tile mural by John Graham
 
  Airport Art Airport Art
Structuralist relief mural by Eli Bornstein

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Those are some great photos of one the most elegant buildings ever built in this city. While I welcome the new terminal, I will definitely miss the old one, and I'm still holding out hope that some use will be found for it.

Christian Cassidy said...

I do too !

Anonymous said...

Do you know where the old (1950's) terminal was located? The building looks like it might be the Western Canadian Aviation Musuem.

And that interior shot of the terminal looks just like the 'terminal' on the Canadian Forces side of the airport (Hangar 16 I think). Guessing they are of the same vintage!

Thanks for your pics and for digging through the archives.

Christian Cassidy said...

Yes, the Aviation Museum is the original TCA hangar / terminal from the 50's

Unknown said...

I'd forgotten all about that "Solar Cone" sculpture court at the air terminal - found it rather weird and mysterious at the time. Reminds me of the original sculpture they first had at the Polo Park mall. Thanks for the photo. I remember going to the old terminal as a kid, and seeing the architect's model of the new terminal to come - and that same model is now back in the original TCA building as part of the WCAM displays. When the new terminal was built, it was fun to go up to the open-air observation deck to look out over the airfield, then go for dinner in the restaurant. They had a coin-op turnstile on the stairs for a while.