Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - July 6, 2004, Winnipeg, Manitoba A4 Winnipeg free press tuesday july 6, 2004 Jericho continued from Page a1 Jericho 33, was the Toast of the town yesterday receiving honours from the City and the province for his work As a wrestler and for his Charity work with disadvantaged children. Jericho grew up in Winnipeg graduating from Westwood collegiate and red River College before moving on to become one of the most celebrated wrestlers in the world. Over 200 excited fans ? Many carry ing posters of Jericho ? gathered on the South Lawn of the legislative building yesterday morning to see their idol inducted into the order of the Buffalo Hunt ? one of the highest honours bestowed by the province. The Beefy Blond wrestler was greeted by a huge cheer As he emerged from the legislative building flanked by his parents wife Jessica the couples son Ash and Premier Gary doer. Doer said Jericho was chosen for the honour because of his successes in and out of wrestling ring. He a not just a wrestling Champion he a a Champion for children said doer. He spends a great Deal of time and Effort working on behalf of children a doer noted Jericho is involved in a number of children a charities including the Christopher Reeve paralysis foun Dation and superstate a Charity hockey game at new York City a Madison Square Garden. After signing his name alongside oth ers who have been entered in the order including Mother Teresa Boxer Donny Lalonde and . President Jimmy Carter Jericho said he owes much of his Success to his Winnipeg roots. A lot of what i achieved is because i grew up Here he said. Later yesterday Jericho was greeted by another enthusiastic crowd at City Hall where he was made an honorary Cit Izen of Winnipeg and Given the ceremonial key to the City by Katz. Wrestling fan Bill Gad ooch 45, attended the ceremonies wearing a Jeri Cho Jersey. He said he took the Day off work just to catch a glimpse of Jericho. Its not just important for wrestling fans but its important for All Manito bans. He a getting a very important award said Gad ooch. Swarmed by fans after each appear Ance Jericho took time to Chat with his supporters and sign autographs on everything from life size posters of him to Jericho dolls and Peoples to shirts. Tyler Goulet 10, was thrilled to get the big Guys autograph. He a the Best Ever said Goulet clutching a Sheet of paper with Jericho a scrawled signature. I a going to Frame it and put it up on my dads last night Jericho and More than two dozen fellow performers took Centre stage at Winnipeg Arena for a live Tele vision broadcast of the we event raw which was beamed into millions of Homes around the world. Tonight the we returns to the Arena for another television program called smack Down which will be taped and broadcast thursday night. Jericho is the son of former National hockey leaguer Ted Irvine who was also honoured by the province yester Day for his work to Start the Manitoba special olympics. The province donated $2,500 in Ted Irvine a name to the 2006 National Spe Cial olympics in Brandon. build new station quickly police urge by Mary Agnes Welch w Winnipeg police want to Speed up construction of a new District police station so police officers can move in while the exterior of the downtown police Headquarters is rebuilt. The plan would add an extra $8.6 Mil lion to the capital budget Over the next few years according to a City report approved by councils Protection com Mittee yesterday. The proposal merges three huge projects the police department has planned for the next few years ? the construction of three new District stations the replacement of Limestone cladding on the downtown Public safety building and the creation of a Back up 911 communication Centre. It tries to do everything at once said Rob Loudfoot of the City a property department which manages City build Ings. Moisture has caused the pubs Lime Stone cladding to deteriorate so much it is being held in place by Metal bands in some spots. The facade must be replaced Over the next few years at a Cost of about $10 million. Work was slated to begin next Spring but it will be delayed until 2006 if Council adopts the plan. While the cladding is being replaced police officers working out of the pub As Well As 911 Call takers and dispatchers must be moved. The plan is to build the first of three new District stations beginning next Spring and move the officers there. Construction of the new District stations want supposed to Start until 2006, but the City wants to begin work next year so a station will be ready to House pub staff when cladding work begins in 2006. The new station would double As the first phase of the four District Model which Calls for police to reduce their operating districts from six to four and replace outdated cramped police stations with three larger state of the Art Headquarters. The first station built would be in the St. Boniface Industrial Park with the remaining two slated for the North end and South Winnipeg. The 911 Call Centre is Tricky to Relo Cate because it involves moving so much equipment and because its location must be Safe from flooding sniper attacks and even rail disasters. Moving the 911 Call Centre solves another problem ? the need for a Back up communication Centre in Case Cata Strophe strikes the pub. The City has identified 700 Assiniboine Park drive As a Good place to set up a Back up Call Centre. The extra $8.6 million would be spent moving the 911 Centre and other police divisions now located in the pub to alter native locations. The extra Cash would also cover set up costs for the Back up 911 Centre. The plan now goes to Council and could then be included in next years capital budget debates. ;