Winnipeg: Unique Reception Venues?

[Only The Lonely..]

Admittedly, the River Boat isn't as Grand as the Millenium Centre or the Hotel Fort Garry, but it would allow your guests to enjoy a classic Manitoba summer evening and it should have enough capacity for your needs.

Another possible location is the Downtown Radison. I believe it has some type of 20th floor patio. I'm not sure of how nice it is inside.

Presumably decent, but not decadent.

[Donovanf]

Have you though of the 291 Bannatyne Exchange Event Center, it can be rented out.

Here are some photos
http://www.ryanpfeiffer.com/Raves/05...ange/index.htm

[Pootkao]

I really wish the riverboats were kept in better shape.
They've always felt a bit trashy to me...

[JayM]

Originally Posted by Pootkao

I really wish the riverboats were kept in better shape.
They've always felt a bit trashy to me...

To bad they weren't like longer rides with casinos in them that would be worth it.

[1ajs]

Originally Posted by Pootkao

I really wish the riverboats were kept in better shape.
They've always felt a bit trashy to me...

they did fix up the one boat that now docs beside the loise bridge

[DowntownWpg]

Originally Posted by Only The Lonely..

The skyview ballroom at the Marlborough is probably another great choice.

The staff of the Marlborough is horrible to deal with (at least, it was 1.5 years ago). My department threw a conference there. Sure, the ballroom upstairs is massive and is without pillars... but upon further examination you'll notice problems with some of the curtains, as well as the retractable wall was in a real state of disrepair. It was off to the side, but had several crooked panels. We also experienced many electrical issues up there.

I'd recommend staying away from the Marlborough. They do have a nice dining room on the main level you can use for events, "Churchill's Dining Room," but again, dealing with the management there is more headache than it's worth.

Originally Posted by JayM

To bad they weren't like longer rides with casinos in them that would be worth it.

You can actually make up your own gambling game on the riverboats. Award points each time to the person who is the first to spot something on the riverbank. 1 point for a shopping cart, 10 for a John and his prostitute at their "secluded" spot, 50 for a human corpse (25 for partial remains), etc. At the end, the winner of "The Great Winnipeg RiverBank Game" gets the cash.

[1ajs]

cold hold the wedding in one of the 3 massive churches downtown then have a parade to one of the venues downtown for the reception

[Pootkao]

Originally Posted by JayM

To bad they weren't like longer rides with casinos in them that would be worth it.

Come to think of it, the government would be wise to put the 2 casinos onto boats and sail off to the Somali coast.

[1ajs]

cash cow anyone lol

[Only The Lonely..]

Originally Posted by DowntownWpg

The staff of the Marlborough is horrible to deal with (at least, it was 1.5 years ago). My department threw a conference there. Sure, the ballroom upstairs is massive and is without pillars... but upon further examination you'll notice problems with some of the curtains, as well as the retractable wall was in a real state of disrepair. It was off to the side, but had several crooked panels. We also experienced many electrical issues up there.

I'd recommend staying away from the Marlborough. They do have a nice dining room on the main level you can use for events, "Churchill's Dining Room," but again, dealing with the management there is more headache than it's worth.

I think your problems are a function of the hotel belonging to the Ramada Chain.

However, if they ever decided to put some money into the old girl the Marlborough could easily go toe-to-toe with the Hotel Fort Garry.

You can actually make up your own gambling game on the riverboats. Award points each time to the person who is the first to spot something on the riverbank. 1 point for a shopping cart, 10 for a John and his prostitute at their "secluded" spot, 50 for a human corpse (25 for partial remains), etc. At the end, the winner of "The Great Winnipeg RiverBank Game" gets the cash.

You've put a lot of thought into this haven't you?

[DowntownWpg]

Originally Posted by Only The Lonely..

I think your problems are a function of the hotel belonging to the Ramada Chain.

However, if they ever decided to put some money into the old girl the Marlborough could easily go toe-to-toe with the Hotel Fort Garry.

Please note... since 2006 the Marlborough has not been a part of the Ramada Chain. It's now part of Worldhotels:

"WORLDHOTELS is the largest and most established Europe based global group for individual and independent hotels as well as regional hotel brands. The company's strong emphasis is on quality consistent properties with character and distinction.

Under the banner “UNIQUE HOTELS FOR UNIQUE PEOPLE”, WORLDHOTELS offers business and leisure travellers a wide choice of about 500 individual accommodation options in more than 300 destinations worldwide in three distinct Collections – Deluxe, First Class, and Comfort. WORLDHOTELS' guests also benefit from an extensive portfolio of partnerships, including frequent flyer programmes from 18 of the world's leading international airlines.

To its member hotels, WORLDHOTELS provides a wide range of sales, marketing, distribution technology and related services and enables hotels to be part of a globally recognised brand."

http://www.worldhotels.com/who-we-are.html

http://www.themarlborough.ca/history.html

[hexrae]

My Wife and I had our reception at Fort Garry Place, behind Hotel Fort Garry, in the Grand Ballroom just over a year ago. Huge venue, should easily fit your needs with room to spare.

URL

The pics are crap on that site though.

[bluenoser]

Thanks again everyone, for all the great suggestions - I'm in the process of looking into a bunch of them right now.

Keep them coming, if anything else comes to mind!

[flatlander]

I had the same problem when i got married four years ago. We ended up putting up a tent and having it catered. It was great but having to deal with the tent and catering and everything else was a ton of work. And extra money.

I would stay away from the riverboats and Marlborough. They both need some serious upgrading.

The millennium centre is neat, and has a good caterer (the Storm guys if I recall). The more people in there, the better the acoustics and atmosphere so 300 might be a good fit.

The Hotel Fort Garry is an elegant space with great food. You can't beat it, but you have to book early.

I always thought the Pump House would make a great event space ...