'It's fabulous in every respect': The Leaf opens at Assiniboine Park
Winnipeggers who have been watching construction progress in Assiniboine Park over the last few years can now satisfy their curiosity – The Leaf is finally open to the public.
The new horticultural attraction operated by the Assiniboine Park Conservancy features four separate biomes filled with plant life from all over the world.
Saturday was the first opportunity for people to experience The Leaf. "It's been a remarkable day," said Laura Cabak, Director of Public Relations and Communications, "we're absolutely thrilled to be welcoming visitors here over the weeks and months and years to come."
Dominating the tropical biome is a six-story high waterfall, the tallest indoor waterfall in Canada. The Mediterranean biome has a cooler, drier climate for plant life from that part of the world. A display house currently features holiday-themed plants, but will change throughout the year.
The third floor of the building is a butterfly garden - Stan McLeod's favourite part, "I like the butterflies, they kind of land on me a bit. If you put your finger out, they’ll land on your finger, it's great," said McLeod.
Laurel Sarginson was also impressed, "I think it's fabulous in every respect, I'm beyond excited to be here," she said.
Sarginson had been anticipating the opening, "I've been watching the construction for two years as it develops, and we were so interested to see the lights come on."
Caback says The Leaf is for everybody.
"We've seen people from Guyana, and South America, and Paraguay, and Sri Lanka, and all over the world saying that this place reminds them of home. And the emotion that they are sharing and they stories that they are sharing are just amazing."
The Leaf is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. – 9 p.m. Admission is $15.50 for adults, with reduced rates for seniors and children.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
DEVELOPING Live updates from the Trump hush money trial: Stormy Daniels, bookkeeper testify
Adult film star Stormy Daniels is on the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Boeing 737 catches fire and skids off the runway at a Senegal airport, injuring 10 people
A Boeing 737-300 plane carrying 85 people skidded off a runway at the airport in Dakar, Senegal's capital, injuring 10 people, according to the transport minister, an airline safety group and footage from a passenger that showed the aircraft on fire.
Breast cancer screening should start at age 40, Canadian Cancer Society says
The Canadian Cancer Society says all provinces and territories should lower the starting age for breast cancer screening to 40.
Man accused of killing two children at Quebec daycare to stand trial in April 2025
The man accused of murdering two children and injuring six others after a city bus crashed into a Montreal-area daycare is scheduled to stand trial over five weeks beginning in April 2025.