Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
July 27, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Civic Brief • Canada Notes

Polo Park

Polo Park, corporately styled as CF Polo Park, is a shopping centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

Updated July 27, 20261 min readCited sources

Polo Park, corporately styled as CF Polo Park, is a shopping centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It opened in 1959 on the site of the former Polo Park Racetrack and became one of Canada’s early enclosed shopping centres after being covered in 1963.

What it is

Polo Park is the largest shopping mall in Winnipeg and one of the largest in Canada. It is located at 1485 Portage Avenue near the junction of Portage Avenue and St. James Street. The mall has about 200 stores and services, along with food, entertainment, and cinema facilities.

Why it matters

Polo Park is notable for being among Canada’s early enclosed shopping centres after being roofed over in 1963. It occupies land that formerly held the Polo Park Racetrack, adding historical interest. As Winnipeg’s largest mall, it serves as a major retail destination for the city and surrounding region.

Key details

Current anchors include Forever 21, Shoppers Drug Mart, Urban Planet, Sport Chek, Zara, and EQ3. The site also includes a multiplex cinema and several restaurants. The property is owned by Cadillac Fairview.

In short

  • Largest mall in Winnipeg
  • Opened 1959, enclosed 1963
  • On former racetrack site
  • About 200 stores
Canadian angle

Polo Park is a major Canadian retail centre and an important Winnipeg shopping destination; it is also relevant to Canadian retail history because it became one of the country’s early enclosed malls.

Quick questions

What is Polo Park?
Polo Park is a shopping centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, known as CF Polo Park in corporate branding.
When did Polo Park open?
It opened on August 20, 1959.
Where is Polo Park located?
It is at 1485 Portage Avenue in Winnipeg, near the junction of Portage Avenue and St. James Street.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polo_Park
    Supports: Location, opening date, ownership, former racetrack site, mall size, and neighbourhood name
  2. Winnipeg Architecture Foundation — https://winnipegarchitecture.ca/places/polo-park-shopping-centre/
    Supports: Opening date, 1963 enclosure, and historical context
  3. Tourism Winnipeg — https://www.tourismwinnipeg.com/things-to-do/shopping/display,listing/06036/cf-polo-park
    Supports: Address, role as a shopping destination, and store count
  4. Assiniboia Chamber of Commerce — https://www.assiniboiachamber.ca/list/member/cf-polo-park-shopping-centre-70
    Supports: Address, hours, ownership/branding, and store count