Public gallery was closed after Jan. 30 assault on Manitoba Hydro employee
Manitoba Hydro Place has reopened its public gallery with increased security following a knife attack on an employee that forced the space to close earlier this year, according to a report.
The utility confirmed to CTV News that the gallery at its downtown Winnipeg headquarters is resuming public access on March 3 after the incident on Jan. 30, when an employee was assaulted by a man with a knife while leaving work.
An 18-year-old man was arrested inside the building and was charged with possession of a weapon and assault with a weapon.
Additional safety officers deployed
In a written statement to CTV News, Manitoba Hydro said it has strengthened on-site security ahead of the reopening.
“We have hired seven safety officers and are finalizing our agreement with Manitoba Justice as to their role and responsibilities, but expect some will be working in the building when it reopens to the public,” Manitoba Hydro media relations officer Peter Chura said, according to the report.
Chura said the new safety officers will operate alongside existing private security staff.
“Our approach going forward will be to have the safety officers, with their enhanced abilities and training, working alongside our existing contracted security guards,” he said, as quoted by CTV News.
The move to deploy institutional safety officers at Manitoba Hydro Place comes amid a broader trend in Manitoba.
In recent months, institutional safety officers have also been brought in to help patrol the Health Sciences Centre and the University of Manitoba to bolster security, according to CTV News.
