Strategic Plan 2024-2027
Over the past year, The Forks North Portage (TFNP) planning team has been gathering data, feedback, and input from the Board of Directors, external stakeholders, rightsholders, and community partners.
The strategic priorities and goals presented in this summary document were tested and validated throughout the plan's development.
Once approved, the 2024-2027 Stategic Plan will provide overarching direction to TFNP annual plans, special projects, and operations.
Guidance
Mission + Mandate
To act as a catalyst, encouraging activities for people in the downtown area through public and private partnerships, revitalization strategies; and to work to ensure financial self-sufficiency:
The North Portage neighbourhood shall be a centre of commerce, culture, and living, integrated to form a diverse downtown community through a mixture of public uses including: residential, commercial and institutional, recreational, educational, and entertainment facilities.
The Forks shall be developed as a 'Meeting Place,' a special and distinct, all-season gathering and recreational place at the junction of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, through a mixed-use approach including recreational, historical and cultural, residential, and institutional and supportive commercial uses. The business of the Partnership is to provide as many reasons as possible for people 'to live, work, and play in the downtown.'
Organizational Values
Community Oriented
We succeed with and through our community. We invest in authentic, ongoing relationships with partners, stakeholders, and rightsholders.
Collaborative
We foster porous boundaries where data and perspectives are openly shared and welcomed.
Innovative
We are not afraid to try new things. We test ideas and challange the status quo.
Open Minded
We seek knowledge and understanding, integrating what we've learned from our mistakes and successes.
Transformative
We lead by example. We are accountable for all of our actions.
Priorities + Goals
The Forks | A Gathering Place For Everyone
The Forks has always been a gathering place. Ensuring that the people who want to come here reflect our community's diversity is central to our success and to authentically living our mandate as a catalyst for downtown. People feeling safe and welcome are key components to their engagement with the site. The Forks is a community-focused, partner supported, and relationship-driven gathering place for everyone.
- A safe and welcoming site
- Better storytelling
- Enhancing connections, to and through the site
- Thriving Railside development
Innovation
TFNP embraces innovation and uses it as a catalyst for downtown economic and cultural regeneration. Our innovative spirit is entrenched within our organization and needs to be fed and fostered.
- Established leaders in addressing climate change
- Community-supported transformational initiatives
- Update and activate Go to the Waterfront
- More new things
Truth & Reconciliation
TFNP is at the beginning of this path. Our history, location, and purpose demand that we focus resources on learning more and delivering more to our community. We see the relationships we develop with First Nations, Red River Metis, and other local indigenous governments and rightsholders as being central to our ability to move forward authentically and respectfully. We see the TRC Calls to Action and MMIWG Calls for Justice as essential guideposts on our path. We acknowledge that we need to accomplish much, both within our organization and in the community spaces we operate.
- Reconciliation is a continuous process
- Strong Indigenous representation throughout the organization and our work
- Meaningful, trusting relationships with Indigenous people, communities, partners, and leaders
- Celebrate Indigenous contributions and cultures
North Portage
TFNP's role is in a state of flux in the North Portage neighbourhood, therefore our strategies here require flexibility and responsiveness as our role in the neighbourhood evolves. We will continue to support, amplify, and convene community decision makers and provide targeted operational support to address specific issues.
- Role clarity
- Revitalized North Portage neighbourhood
- Amplified community voices
Core Organizational Enablers
Successful implementation of this strategic plan requires collaboration and alighnment of four key operational enablers. Each enabler plays a pivotal role in bringin this plan to fruition.
Our Relationships
- Strategic communications plan
- Community engagement plan
- Go to the Waterfront partnerships
Financial Resourcing
- Build capital funding through The Forks Foundation
- Develop sponsorship opportunities
- Maximise government investment in key capital projects
- Optimize resources
Our Team
- Investment in training
- Indigenous leadership
- Incorporate a DEI lens throughout HR function
- Succession planning
Our Systems
- Organized file structure
- Digital communications and reporting tools
- Evolved procurement policies and commitments
- Infrastructure renewal plan