The Winnipeg Biz is launching a brightly coloured workspace for students and business people, wifi included.

"We are here to promote care and advocate for a vibrant and inclusive downtown," says Pamela Hardman, the Director of Marketing Engagement and Communications with the Downtown Winnipeg Biz.

This was the heart behind their new initiative, RE: Workspace. 

"We just opened the space and it's right beside Capitol Grill on Broadway. It's a brightly painted, fresh-paced right downtown where anyone can come and get some work done on their own, have a meeting, or study together with a friend. It's really open for anyone to use this space and be productive throughout the day," says Hardman. 

The space is open from Monday to Friday from 9:30 am until 4:30 pm. It officially opened to the public on September 8, 2021.

"We've seen this come up in a few different cities, but we really wanted to do something different. People have been working from home for the past year and a half. We're so excited that students are coming back to campus now and we wanted to create something that would give people another option."

The space offers free wifi for those working on laptops, thanks to the Union Centre, along with power bars and whiteboards. 

"Meeting with people face to face is really quite special. We wanted to give people an option and maybe they want to take their work outside."

While the space is open to the public the Winnipeg Biz will have staff at the entrance so that once a space has been used, they can clean the area for the next person. Masks are recommended but not required as the space is outdoors, and participants do not have to be vaccinated to use it. 

"If you do want to book your space you can do that by visiting our website. Walk-ups are welcome also so long as there's space," she says. 

RE: Workspace will be available to the public until it's too cold to utilize.