One Great City

May 4, 2011 | Posted by Craig LePan

I've found myself stuck in the Winnipeg Airport for a couple hours so this blog entry comes from my iPad waiting for the plane, humming a song by the Weakerthans. If you've been to the Winnipeg (James Armstrong Richardson International) Airport before you'll know what I mean when I say it is part airport, part time machine. In a strange - twilight zone type - way, it's a late 1970's airport experience, complete with the nicest, most laid back security in the country. (I'm pretty sure the metal detectors don't even work, I've never seen them go off there once.)

Check out this great 80's news cast of the last renovations that took place some 30 years ago. Ron Burgundy would be proud of this intro.

Since those renovations somehow time has managed to stand still. The fluorescent ceiling tiling lighting (complete with bedbugs) could burst into flames at any moment. Its neon glow lights both ends of the building which are flanked with art work that has gone in an out of style so many times that it's actually cool again. You won't find a Starbucks here, just a strange clothing shop called "Journey's Leisure Supercentre" with the most eclectic mixture of 70's, 80's and 90's styles you've ever seen (and a lady counting loonies trying not to say...). 

If you haven't had a chance to visit you better do it soon, the new terminal in Winnipeg is set to open October 30th of this year. It will be nice to enjoy a Starbucks, but kind of sad to say good-bye to the living breathing airport museum.