15°c Overcast
11°c Cloudy with clear breaks
Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
First Nations close to deal on Kapyong Barracks
Kapyong Barracks (BORIS MINKEVICH / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS) Photo Store
Related Items
Manitoba’s First Nations are closer than ever to a deal to create an urban reserve out of the former Kapyong Barracks, Sagkeeng Chief Donavan Fontaine said Tuesday.
"By the end of this week, we should have an offer," Fontaine said. "We’re closer than we’ve ever been before and at the last minute, there could be a deal breaker, you never know but I’m cautiously optimistic."
Seven First Nations represented by Treaty One took Ottawa to court over the 160 acres of prime city real estate when the barracks were decommissioned and the federal government announced the land would be put up for sale.
That was in 2005. Since then, the case has been stuck in the courts and many drivers have been stuck in traffic because Kenaston Boulevard, which runs beside the Kapyong Barracks, could not be expanded to meet growing traffic needs while there were legal claims.
The issue of a traffic bottleneck near Kapyong is expected to become an even bigger headache because Kenaston is a major traffic artery leading to the IKEA big-box store, which opens Wednesday at the intersection with Sterling Lyon Parkway.
The First Nations claim to Kapyong comes from treaty rights to federal land in their traditional territories that had been declared surplus in return for unfulfilled land claims.
"Neither side wants to go back to court," said Fontaine, adding there is pressure to come to an out-of-court settlement soon. The next court date is Dec. 7.
He said First Nations lawyers at the table with the federal government have signalled the chiefs to expect good news soon.
"By the end of this week, we should be hearing something," Fontaine said.
He said a deal would mean the First Nations would have a partnership with Ottawa on development of the site.
Plans for the site could call for a mixed commercial and residential development with the possibility of green space.
"Economic development, definitely," said Fontaine describing the site as a potential hub of activity. "And housing and green space is a possibility."
In January, city council’s public works committee voted in favour of a preliminary design that would see Kenaston eventually expand to six lanes from four between Ness and Taylor avenues.
The plan is to widen the roadway on the west side by acquiring land from Kapyong Barracks and on the east by acquiring about 50 homes.
Public works director Brad Sacher said current standards suggest a road be widened to six lanes when traffic counts exceed more than 35,000 vehicles per day. Sacher said volumes on Kenaston have been upwards of 50,000 vehicles a day for decades, and recent data show between 60,000 and 70,000 vehicles travel Kenaston daily.
History
Updated on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 9:02 PM CST: edit
More Latest News
- Back to Top
- Return to Latest News
More Latest News
(1 of 33 articles for today)
PST hike a 'difficult decision' but necessary, NDP official says
12:33 PM 0View Related
Poll
Most Popular Latest News
- Police searching for suspect who woke sleeping teen
- Rare comic book featuring debut of Superman found insulating abandoned house in Minnesota
- Evidence ignored in dangerous driving acquital, appeal court told
- Doctor charged with sexually assaulting teen at HSC
- Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river
- Teachers vote to donate $1.5M to human rights museum
- Systemic approach to voter interference 'extremely worrisome': Trudeau
- Overnight stabbings probed
- Armed forces buys buses from Motor Coach
- Selinger talks tax at NDP convention in Brandon
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Crash claims two young women, RCMP say
- 2 dead in crash near Portage la Prairie
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Winnipeg woman camps out in front of legislature to protest child welfare
- Rainfall warning issued for southern Manitoba
- Two men now facing first-degree murder charges in Tim Bosma test drive death
- Flood money paid for CEO's romantic trip
- Seattle man dribbling soccer ball to Brazil killed by car on Oregon Coast
- Man dies after being pulled from vehicle submerged in Winnipeg retention pond
- 87-year-old woman tells jurors, 'Somebody had to stand up to' Donald Trump
- Driver crashes into tree near golf course
- Arrests made after raids on local head shops
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- News of city's $17-million winner leaks out on FB
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- No threat from bag found at Winnipeg Square
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Driver horrified by scene in rearview mirror after load hits I-5 bridge, road falls into river
- Youth faces murder charge in Pauingassi First Nation death
- Charges laid against Sharon Home over resident's death
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- City's first urban reserve born
- Toews 'disappointed' U.S., Canada at loggerheads over meat labeling regulations
- Unjust justice: Still no aboriginal court in Manitoba
- Islamic life showcased
- New owner for lumber stores
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
- Famous city grocer loved job, customers
- Prominent Canadians back petition to rename Victoria Day to honour aboriginals
- First Nation celebrates groundbreaking on city's first urban reserve
- Marsh Madness: Photographers Fred Greenslade and Joe Bryksa capture spring migration's grandeur at Delta Marsh
- Skin picking gets status as distinct disorder, should help sufferers access help
- Order of Manitoba recipients announced
- New owner for lumber stores
- Aboriginal leader Elijah Harper dies
- Chiropractor guilty of sexually assaulting, beating ex-girlfriend
- Dogs can experience separation anxiety and depression just like humans
- 'Revenge of the redheads': Ginger-haired Montrealers gather in celebration
- Grocer Joe Cantor dies at 88
- An uncommon phenomenon
- Passengers from diverted flight to leave Winnipeg Thursday night
- Hundreds pitch in to dig out houses damaged, destroyed by Ochre Beach ice floe
- MTS to sell Allstream to Egyptian investment group, focus on Manitoba market
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.