The Valour Road streetscaping project was a multi stage urban design project, initiated by the West End Community, the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba. The project’s objective was to highlight the road’s military history, improve upon the underutilized bus turn-around at Sargent and Valour, and give the neighbourhood a renewed sense of community pride.
David Wagner Associates redesigned this corner to retain its existing purpose as a year round transit loop, and to create a neighbourhood space that would honour the road’s military heritage. This intimate plaza incorporates new cobbled paving, limestone blocks and retaining walls which give a nod to the bunkers of WWI. The planting adds life and new hope to the site every spring, and sees school children flock here annually for their history lesson.
David Wagner Associates erected a custom designed monument at the front of the plaza; three steel soldier silhouettes, one looking forward, one down, and one forward, or, one to the past, one to the present, and one of the future. The monument has an ethereal quality as the glossy paint colour changes in the light as you pass it. It is a modern interpretation of the traditional bronze military statues found in Winnipeg.
The plaza is complimented by custom designed signage and vertical banners, standing at attention and bearing the Victoria Cross and the silhouettes of the three men who received it. New ornamental poles bearing the banners, medallions and other street signage visually enhance the road’s identity.
This project is a source of community pride and effort, and sees a crowd gather every November 11th in memory of Valour Roads most revered citizens.
