Plans for iconic clock tower in Winnipeg mall up in the air

The clock inside Portage Place mall is caught in the middle of True north’s redevelopment of the space. CTV’s Danton Unger has more.

As the walls of Portage Place come down, the future of the iconic 122-year-old clock inside is uncertain.

Since True North launched its $650 million redevelopment project of the old mall, Heritage Winnipeg has been working to ensure the clock ticks on.

“It really is an important part of our history,” said Cindy Tugwell, Heritage Winnipeg’s executive director. “We have nothing else from the ‘Gingerbread City Hall’ saved, so this is all we have.”

Installed in Winnipeg’s old city hall building in 1903, the clock towered 105 feet above the bustling streets below. It was the city’s first public clock, guaranteed by its makers not to vary by more than 10 seconds.

Tugwell said it was a symbol of the city’s growth and economic prosperity of the time.

“It signifies a moment in time when Winnipeg felt it was really on the map,” she said.

When the old city hall building was razed in 1962, the clock survived. Nearly two-and-a-half decades later, it was installed in the brand new Portage Place mall.

But now, it’s time there may be running out.

Sean Kavanagh, senior director of strategic communications with True North, said the clock was part of the building when True North Real Estate Development purchased it, though the company doesn’t intend to own the clock.

“While the clock tower was made available for re-purposing, no expression of interest was forwarded to True North Real Estate Development,” Kavanagh said in an emailed statement on behalf of the company.

He said True North Real Estate Development is now working with Heritage Winnipeg.

“… the internal workings and clock faces will be salvaged and kept in safe storage for potential use, with their guidance, for any possible future projects to be determined."

Meanwhile the city said it has taken steps to make sure the tower and mechanics of the clock are preserved.

“The City won’t be the long-term owners, but we are actively looking for a future home for the historic clock,” a spokesperson said in an email to CTV News.

Tugwell said she had been working with the city to include the clock in the new Market Lands development in the Exchange District, but she was told the design may not work.

Wherever the old clock ends up, she hopes it will be available for all to see.

“A public space so that as many people can see it as possible and learn about the history of City Hall and the City of Winnipeg,” Tugwell said, noting she is confident the clock will – eventually – start ticking again.