Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL) to Cancel Unnecessary Downtown Relocation

Project outside the mandate of MBLL and at risk of significant cost overruns: Craik

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries today reported the findings of a review conducted by the corporation’s new board of directors at the request of the Government of Manitoba. The review looked into procurement and tendering processes related to the proposed head office development, with the goal of ensuring efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This resulted in a specific analysis of the corporation’s September 2015 purchase of 233 Kennedy Street (the Medical Arts Building) and decision to renovate the building and utilize it as the location for its amalgamated corporate head offices.

“Our board’s review has resulted in a decision that the corporation will utilize existing office space for its corporate employees and will not be proceeding with previous plans to construct a new $75 million headquarters,” said board chair Polly Craik. “Our review concluded that the corporation’s existing office space is sufficient to meet the ongoing needs of staff. We could not support spending a minimum of $75 million of public funds for a project that would see Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries operating as a commercial property developer, well outside of its core mandate.”

The decision not to proceed with the $75-million head office project follows a comprehensive review by the organization’s board of directors. The review concluded that:

• There is no operational need to develop a new building for corporate employees. Existing office space is sufficient to meet the needs of corporate staff.
• Construction projects of the size of the proposed new headquarters, particularly those associated with the renovation and development of an older building, face significant risks of cost escalation. The board concluded that these cost uncertainties could put additional public dollars unnecessarily at risk.
• The original project would have required Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries to take on the roles of commercial property developer and property and asset management. These roles are outside the mandate of supporting the province through liquor sales and gaming operations.

“Our review concluded that any possible net savings from this project are negated by the risks of construction cost over-runs associated with renovating and developing an aged building,” said Craik. “Manitobans expect us to make prudent financial decisions that are in the public’s best interest and that is what we plan to do.”

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For interviews with Polly Craik, Board Chair, and Jim Morden, Board member:

Liquor Mart Labour Day Weekend Hours

Manitoba Liquor Marts will operate on extended hours during the Labour Day long weekend.

Thursday, September 1, 2016: Liquor Marts in Winnipeg and Brandon will open and close at their regular times. Many of the larger Winnipeg Liquor Marts will remain open later and close at 11:00 p.m. Store hours can be viewed online at www.LiquorMarts.ca/hours.

Friday, September 2, 2016: Most Liquor Marts in Winnipeg and Brandon will open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 11:00 p.m. with the exception of cityplace, Hargrave & Ellice, Main & Pritchard, Airport Express and Brandon Express, which will each close at their regular time.

Saturday, September 3, 2016: Most Liquor Marts in Winnipeg and Brandon will open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 11:00 p.m. with the exception of cityplace, Hargrave & Ellice, Main & Pritchard, Airport Express and Brandon Express, which will each close at their regular time.

Sunday, September 4, 2016: All Liquor Marts in Winnipeg and Brandon will open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m., with the exception of cityplace, which will open at noon and close at 5:00 p.m. 

Labour Day, Monday, September 5, 2016: All Manitoba Liquor Marts will be closed. 

Operating hours for rural Liquor Marts vary by location. To view each store’s full operating hours, please visit www.LiquorMarts.ca/hours.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries offices will be closed on Labour Day, Monday, September 5.

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Liquor Mart Terry Fox Day Long Weekend Hours

Manitoba Liquor Marts will operate on extended hours during the Terry Fox Day long weekend.

Thursday, July 28, 2016: Liquor Marts in Winnipeg and Brandon will open and close at their regular times. Many of the larger Winnipeg Liquor Marts will remain open later and close at 11:00 p.m. Store hours can be viewed online at www.LiquorMarts.ca/hours.

Friday, July 29, 2016: Most Liquor Marts in Winnipeg and Brandon will open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 11:00 p.m. with the exception of cityplace, Hargrave & Ellice, Main & Pritchard, Airport Express and Brandon Express, which will each close at their regular time.

Saturday, July 30, 2016: Most Liquor Marts in Winnipeg and Brandon will open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 11:00 p.m. with the exception of cityplace, Hargrave & Ellice, Main & Pritchard, Airport Express and Brandon Express, which will each close at their regular time.

Sunday, July 31, 2016: All Liquor Marts in Winnipeg and Brandon will open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. with the exception of cityplace, which will close at 5:00 p.m.

Terry Fox Day, Monday, August 1, 2016: All Liquor Marts in Winnipeg and Brandon will open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. with the exception of cityplace, which will be closed.

Operating hours for rural Liquor Marts vary by location. To view each store’s full operating hours, please visit www.LiquorMarts.ca/hours.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries offices will be closed on Terry Fox Day, Monday, August 1. 

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Liquor Mart Canada Day Hours

Manitoba Liquor Marts will operate with modified hours during the Canada Day weekend.

Thursday, June 30, 2016: Most Liquor Marts in Winnipeg will open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 11:00 p.m., with the exception of the following stores which will close earlier: Hargrave and Ellice, Main and Pritchard, cityplace, and all Liquor Mart Express locations. Store hours can be viewed online at www.LiquorMarts.ca/hours.

Canada Day, Friday, July 1, 2016: All Liquor Marts in Winnipeg will open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m. with the exception of cityplace, which will be closed. Liquor Mart Express stores will be closed with the exception of the Airport and Park West Express locations, which will open at 10:00 a.m. and close at 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, July 2, 2016: Regular operating hours will return to all Liquor Marts. 

Operating hours for rural Liquor Marts vary by location. To view each store’s full operating hours, please visit www.LiquorMarts.ca/hours.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries offices will be closed on Canada Day, Friday, July 1.

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Liquor Mart Victoria Day Weekend Holiday Hours

Manitoba Liquor Marts will operate with extended hours leading up to the Victoria Day long weekend.

Thursday, May 19, 2016: Most Liquor Marts in Winnipeg will open and close at their regular times, with the exception of select stores which will close at 11:00 p.m. Store hours can be viewed online at www.LiquorMarts.ca/hours.

Friday, May 20, 2016 and Saturday, May 21, 2016: Extended hours continue with all Liquor Marts in Winnipeg opening at 9:00 a.m. and closing at 11:00 p.m. with the exception of the following stores: cityplace, Hargrave & Ellice, Main & Pritchard, and the Airport Liquor Mart Express.

Sunday, May 22, 2016: All Liquor Marts in Winnipeg will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except for cityplace, which will be open from noon to 5:00 p.m.

Victoria Day, Monday, May 23, 2016: All Liquor Marts in Winnipeg will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except for cityplace, which will be closed.

Operating hours for rural Liquor Marts vary by location. To view each store’s full operating hours, please visit www.LiquorMarts.ca/hours.

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries offices will be closed on Victoria Day, Monday, May 23. 

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