Ground breaking propels Niverville studio

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This article was published 15/06/2024 (331 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Shovels hit the dirt at the site of North America’s next premiere movie studio.

The new Jette Studios already nicknamed the Hollywood of the North will feature a giant LED screen transforming where actors are in an instant.

Phase one of the project should be finished by June, with additional work continuing for five years. The original design had a building and a popup, but it wouldn’t have been warm enough at certain times, so it was scrapped for only fixed buildings.

“Let’s just hope that it’s up in June,” said Julijette Inc. President Juliette Hagopian.

The building will be 25,000 sq. ft. Or about half the size of a football field.

Hagopian decided on the site in Niverville for its favourable taxes and proximity to Winnipeg. Mayor Myron Dyck welcomed the new business, alongside MLA Ron Schuler and Niverville councillors.

“Niverville is very happy for you, and we celebrate with you,” Dyck said. “While today marks an official welcome to Niverville, we have welcomed you as one of our own for some time now, and we look forward to our ongoing relationship with you.”

The studio is expected to host around 200 workers while in full force, although most productions don’t have that many people working at a time.

The studio is just over 40 minutes away from downtown Winnipeg, about the same distance as Los Angeles to Hollywood.

“I always had a vision of where I’m going,” Hagopian said. “I’m following my dreams.”

The site will also allow more people to follow their dreams, with Mayor Myron Dyck saying the studio will be able to one day host vocational film classes for Niverville’s high school.

Hagopian said she will look into better connecting the two urban centres. Maybe even getting the railroad that passes by Niverville to connect closer to the town and potentially even hold passengers would be optimal for Canada’s fifth fastest-growing community.

Hagopian said the site will be for everyone, not just for her film company.

“This is for Manitoba, this is for every filmmaker and every person involved,” said Community Development Consultant Gord Daman. “This is ‘Come to Niverville.’”

The estimated cost for the building is $62.5 million. The site is on the corner of Highway 311 and Wallace Road. In a couple of years, Wallace Road will be closed to make room for a dike, but the studio will be able to be reached by Highway 311.