WINNIPEG has the market cornered when it comes to frigid cold. Temperatures in the ‘Peg can dip to -50 C, and remain there for several days. By comparison TORONTO can be downright balmy in winter (-17C to -26C + windchill on occasion).

In both cities, ‘Winter Stations‘ or ‘warming huts‘ give people a place to sit if nothing else, and maybe soak up a bit of colour and warmth. RAW Design and Ferris and Associates got some cash from developers ($15,000 for each installation) and launched a competition last spring. They received a “United Nations of entries” from South Korea, China, Japan, Iran, the Netherlands, Belgium and Mexico.
Five winning warming huts are in Beaches Park at the foot of Kew Gardens, near the five lifeguard stations.