Rick Frost, CEO Winnipeg Foundation (2nd from left) and Ross Thompson, CJNU President, in the station’s new studio. PHOTO: Doug Kretchmer
Winnipeg’s newest CRTC-licensed radio station, broadcasting live from high atop the corner of Portage and Main, has completed a successful fund drive raising more than $12,000 and increasing its membership to over 1,100 in the past three days.
After receiving a full time operating license from the CRTC earlier this year, as well as significantly enhancing its broadcast power and securing a spot on the FM dial, the non-profit community radio station, CJNU 93.7 FM Nostalgia Radio, officially cut the ribbon on Monday to its new location – the 13th floor of the Richardson Building, beside the offices of The Winnipeg Foundation.
Looking down on Portage and Main from the new CJNU studio. PHOTO: Doug Kretchmer
The opening of the station’s new digs coincided with its inaugural Pledge Weekend and Membership Blitz that raised $12,425 and added 37 new members.
The listener supported owned and operated community radio station has successfully partnered with Community News Commons, the citizen journalism initiative funded by The Winnipeg Foundation. As a volunteer-run radio co-operative, CJNU shares the Foundation’s sense of community spirit and civic pride.
CJNU broadcasts from a different community host sponsor location each month, and the Foundation has hosted the station annually each April since 2007. CJNU requires a permanent home for its operations and selected broadcasts and this collaboration provides the space in the heart of the city.
The Foundation also sponsors CJNU’s morning newscast with Roger Currie (CNC’s Daily News Podcast) and the station works closely with CNC, with plans to deepen and expand this relationship in the months and years to come.
“This partnership with CJNU is an extension of our existing collaboration, reflecting our common values. Working together with Community News Commons, we will reach new audiences and we look forward to sharing the stories of our community,” said Rick Frost, The Winnipeg Foundation CEO.
“We are proud to offer a truly independent voice on the radio dial. Having a home base and studio in the very heart of the city is an important step forward. It would not have been possible without our most valuable partnership with The Winnipeg Foundation,” said Bill Stewart, CJNU General Manager.
It was a festive atmosphere in the new CJNU studio and offices. PHOTO: Doug Kretchmer
“Thank you for being a friend,” said CJNU President, Ross Thompson, addressing Rick Frost from The Winnipeg Foundation as the two went live on air in the last hour of the station’s inaugural fund drive. Thompson said the support from the Foundation has given CJNU a long term home in the heart of a city we all care about.
Thompson also announced CJNU has been awarded $30,000 from the Community Radio Fund of Canada, which will help the community supported, volunteer run radio station sustain its future.
