MANITOBOGGAN
Winnipeg, Manitoba
The St. Vital Toboggan Slides and Shelter is Winnipeg’s first barrier-free and universally accessible toboggan slide. The project was initiated by the City of Winnipeg to replace the previous 1980s-era toboggan slides and warming shelter, which burned down in 2013, and was seen as an opportunity to provide the community with a better, more inclusive winter experience. The complex includes two new toboggan chutes at differing heights, a four-season warming shelter, a treetop ramp walkway through the forest, and a viewing deck facing the slides. The ramp allows the lower slide to be fully wheelchair accessible, a choice that was referred to as a "game-changer" by four-time paralympian Billy Bridges. The ramp design was also developed with the existing forest in mind, ensuring that no existing trees were removed before or during construction.
The design is regionally inspired, with the tower structure's graphic panels taking cues from the iconic Mary Maxim sweater pattern which was established in Manitoba in the 1950s. The warming shelter also embraces coziness, painted a warm, vibrant red, and featuring benches, heaters and large pivot doors which can be opened to create a four-season space that the public can enjoy throughout the year.
Awards:
Manitoboggan receives 2020 Award of Excellence by CSLA
Manitoboggan receives two Olympic Committee Awards