True North Real Estate Development confirms the purchase of Portage Place mall, progressing a transformative redevelopment project to better connect and serve Winnipeg’s downtown with healthcare, housing, key services and greenspaces. Property and assets are officially acquired Nov. 29.
As part of a continued commitment to enhance guest experience, True North grows its operational portfolio to include all food and beverage services at Canada Life Centre and the Burton Cummings Theatre, adding to successful hospitality operations at hockey for all centre and Camp Manitou.
The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company officially opens its new National Headquarters in True North Square’s third tower, welcoming 1,300 Manitoba employees to the heart of downtown Winnipeg. Designed by Architecture 49, built by PCL Construction, and featuring stunning architectural details reflecting Wawanesa’s local roots, the 21-storey tower is an impressive addition to Winnipeg’s skyline and a pivotal project in the revitalization of the downtown core.
A $13-million venue renovation brings True North’s total reinvestment into updating and innovating Canada Life Centre to more than $85 million and results in an expanded north concourse, the creation of the Scotia Wealth Management Premium Club & Event Level, and the transformation of two suites to bring a trend-setting luxury theatre-style space in PlayNow Lounge.
In partnership with Scotiabank, True North’s four-arena multiplex, the official practice facility of the Winnipeg Jets and Manitoba Moose, is renamed hockey for all centre in the spirit of Scotiabank’s campaign promoting inclusion in the game.
Thousands join Dale Hawerchuk’s family and distinguished guests as Erik Blome’s statue immortalizing one of the greatest Winnipeg Jets players of all time is unveiled in True North Square.
True North Sports + Entertainment and Canada Life Assurance Company announce a 10-year venue naming partnership, renaming Bell MTS Place to Canada Life Centre.
Winnipeg Jets legend Dale Hawerchuk passes away at the age of 57 following a battle with cancer. The team’s 10th season is dedicated to Dale with a redesigned anniversary logo featuring his number 10. True North also announces a permanent statue, to be unveiled in True North Square.
Generously supported by the Price Family and the Travis Price Classic, Camp Manitou’s new Travis Price Centre opens its doors to campers June 15. Along with the development of an additional 11 acres, the new lodge contributes to doubling camp’s capacity to 400 campers per day.
The COVID-19 global pandemic commences with the postponement and eventual cancellation of NHL, AHL and concert activity. Over the next 18 months, public health restrictions ebb and flow. Throughout the pandemic, the True North team is kept intact, allowing for notable community support, including the formal launch of the Downtown Community Safety Partnership, of which True North is a founding partner.
True North Square’s residential and office tower, 223/225 Carlton, welcomes its first residents.
After a 26-month construction effort, the first of True North Square’s four towers, 242 Hargrave, opens with the first commercial tenant commencing occupancy. That same month ground breaks on the second phase, the 430,000-square-foot Sutton Place Hotel & Residences.
The Winnipeg Jets reach the Western Conference Final. The #WPGWhiteout Street Parties hosted on Donald Street draw over 120,000 fans over the course of nine home playoff games.
True North Sports + Entertainment and Bell MTS announce the renaming of MTS Centre to Bell MTS Place. Additionally, MTS Iceplex is renamed Bell MTS Iceplex. The change of names is a result of Bell’s purchase of MTS in March 2017.
Winnipeg hosts the NHL Heritage Classic. The weekend includes the launch of the Winnipeg Jets Hall of Fame, and a Jets Alumni vs. Oilers Alumni game featuring hockey legends such as Dale Hawerchuk, Teemu Selanne and Wayne Gretzky.
MTS Iceplex completes an $8-million, 21,000-square-foot expansion and becomes the official practice facility of both the Winnipeg Jets and the Manitoba Moose. The expansion also creates a new home for the True North Youth Foundation.
True North announces and breaks ground on True North Square, a $400-million four-tower mixed-use development that will be located adjacent to MTS Centre.
True North relocates its AHL franchise from St. John’s, Newfoundland back to Winnipeg. The team reclaims the Manitoba Moose name and becomes the second tenant at MTS Centre.
The Winnipeg Jets make it to the NHL post-season for the first time since relocating to Winnipeg. The return to the post-season also marks the return of the “Whiteout”. Originally a celebration from the Jets’ previous era, fans continue the tradition of getting decked out in white from head to toe to show their post-season support.
True North takes over the operations of the Burton Cummings Theatre, driving activity in the building and beginning restorations to the historic theatre originally built in 1906. In time, True North acquires the property.
With the vision of enhancing programming for WJHA student athletes, the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation assumes the operations of Camp Manitou, a 28-acre camp established in 1930 by six Winnipeg service clubs. The foundation continues to invest in refurbishing and restoring the grounds and building new amenities.
Following the 2011 passing of Winnipeg Jets player Rick Rypien, the curriculum-based mental wellness program Project 11 launches in his honour, fulfilling his wish to provide youth with mental wellness resources that he never had. The program begins with curriculum for students in Grades 5 to 8. Project 11 grows to be available to all grades in 2021.
The Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club plays its first regular season game of the 2.0 era on October 9, 2011 against the Montreal Canadiens.
With the return of NHL hockey to Winnipeg, the MMYF transitions to become the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation (WJTNF). Later, in 2016, it is rebranded as the True North Youth Foundation (TNYF) to reflect its commitment to youth programming.
Led by owners Mark Chipman and David Thomson, True North purchases and relocates the NHL’s Atlanta Thrashers franchise to Winnipeg.
MTS Iceplex, a public-private partnership, officially opens, offering the community four NHL regulation-size hockey rinks and 12,000 hours of ice time annually.
The Manitoba Moose, operating as a flagship franchise in the AHL, advance to the Calder Cup Final. The team wins the Macgregor Kilpatrick Trophy, awarded to the regular season points champion.
The MMYF launches its first self-programmed activity – the hockey/play-based Lil’ Moose which is the first iteration of the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy. The program engages 30 underserved youth in its first year.
Winnipeg hosts the International Ice Hockey Federation’s (IIHF) World Women’s Hockey Championship at MTS Centre. Canada beats the United States 5-1 to capture the gold medal.
Winnipeg hosts the 2006 AHL All-Star Classic at MTS Centre. The Canadian AHL All-Star team defeats the PlanetUSA AHL All-Star team 9-4 in front of a capacity crowd of 15,015 fans – an AHL record. Moose netminder Wade Flaherty is named Most Valuable Player and Moose veteran Jimmy Roy serves as captain of the winning Canadian team.
MTS Centre hosts one of its first marquee events, the 2005 Juno Awards. The live show is hosted by comedian Brent Butt, with Avril Lavigne, The Tragically Hip and k-os among the award winners.
MTS Centre opens its doors on November 16, 2004 with a grand opening concert called “Northern Lights Northern Stars”. The show features performances by celebrated Manitoba artists, including Burton Cummings, Randy Bachman, Tom Cochrane, Doc Walker and the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.
The Manitoba Moose play their first game in MTS Centre against the St. John’s Maple Leafs. Later that season, the Moose win the North Division Championship.
Demolition of the former Eaton’s department store on Portage Avenue begins, making way for a new arena that would open on the site 28 months later.
The Manitoba Moose and five other IHL teams join the American Hockey League (AHL). The team begins an affiliation with the Vancouver Canucks.
With the support of private partners and three levels of government, True North announces its plan to develop and build a new 15,000-seat arena on Portage Avenue.
True North Sports + Entertainment Limited is incorporated to pursue the development of a multi-purpose sports and entertainment facility in downtown Winnipeg.
The Manitoba Moose Yearling Foundation (MMYF) is founded to facilitate community involvement among players, coaches, board members and employees. As part of True North’s commitment to giving back, efforts centre on raising funds for a number of local charities with a focus on youth and active living.
The Manitoba Moose Hockey Club begins operations at the Winnipeg Arena. The first home game, held on October 11, 1996, starts a new era of professional hockey in Winnipeg, helping to fill the void left by the departure of the NHL’s Winnipeg Jets.
On May 21, 1996, Mark Chipman announces the purchase and relocation of the IHL’s Minnesota Moose at a press conference held at the Winnipeg Arena, marking the symbolic beginning of True North Sports + Entertainment.