West End
Winnipeg’s West End is alive with the rhythm of many nations and cultures. Many local families can still trace back their roots to this area, as waves of immigrants have been making their homes in the West End since its earliest days.
As a result, this ethnically-diverse neighbourhood contains a cornucopia of rave-worthy hole-in-the-wall restaurants (we recommend joining a West End BIZ food tour to get a taste of it all) and specialty grocery stores from countries around the world. There are also colourful murals in the neighbourhood representing all the nations that now call the West End home. These murals are internationally-recognized and have won awards for , sharing the stories and history of the neighbourhood and the people who live there. You can learn more about these murals on a West End BIZ walking tour which is offered during the summer months.
For history buffs, a visit to the Valour Road Commemorative Plaza and Valour Road Commemorative Mural is a must. The plaza honours WWI heroes Corporal Leo Clarke, Sergeant-Major Frederick William Hall and Lieutenant Robert Shankland who all grew up on the same city block of Pine Street and each received a Victoria Cross for bravery. Pine Street was later renamed to Valour Road to remember the men and their bravery.
Live music is big in the West End, with the West End Cultural Centre being the main hub. Located in an 80-year-old church, it provides a great place to catch a live band and is one of the greenest live performance venues in Canada. Down Portage Ave, The Good Will Social Club is also a hotspot for both touring bands and local acts.
Antique lovers can find the perfect statement piece to complete a room at The Old House Revival Company & Antique Mall. This three-level home is filled with salvaged, vintage, antique and heritage building and decorating materials from past eras.
Named after local six-time Olympic medalist, the Cindy Klassen Recreation Complex is a community hub of fitness. Here, you’ll find a swimming pool with diving board and tower, water slide, sauna, weight room, fitness equipment, aerobic studio, indoor running track, outdoor skateboard park, lawn bowling, sports fields and a library. In winter, there is also a speed-skating oval.
