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.
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:
Mosaic tile mural by John Graham
Structuralist relief mural by Eli Bornstein
5 comments:
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.
I do too !
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.
Yes, the Aviation Museum is the original TCA hangar / terminal from the 50's
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.
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