The potential sale of city-owned golf courses has at least one area resident concerned about where casual golfers will go.

The city is entertaining proposals to redevelop or sell several municipal golf courses including Harbour View in North Kildonan, Windsor Park and the Canoe Club in St. Vital, Tuxedo and Crescent Drive in Fort Garry, , Kildonan Park in West Kildonan, and John Blumberg in the RM of Headingley.

East Kildonan resident Hong Yea, who has golfed at several city courses, said closing any of them would make it more difficult for casual golfers to get their hacks in.

"I don’t agree with the city trying to shut these places down. It’s good for the casual golfers," he said.

"Closing Windsor, Kildonan, Harbour View, and other courses won’t be good. Price-wise it’s more of a reasonable game at the city courses."

Yea said a par 3 course like Harbour View is ideal for golfers still learning the game and more experienced golfers looking to fit in a quick game.

"It’s a shorter course and it’s good for beginners. It’s a good place to start," he said.

Last month, Outdoor Urban Recreational Spaces, or OURS Winnipeg, the Council of Women of Winnipeg, and Manitoba Eco-Network held a public meeting at St. Mary’s Road United Church to discuss the proposed sales.

John Kubi, chair of the East Kildonan-Transcona Residents’ Advisory Group, attended the meeting to speak out against the proposed sale of the golf courses and green space.

"Instead of consulting with the owners of these green spaces first, that is us taxpayers, they are consulting with the developers first via the call for expressions of interest," Kubi said.

"None of them, to the best of my knowledge, councillors or the mayor, campaigned for re-election on a promise to sell off our public green spaces."

Pam Lucenkiw, co-chair for OURS, said the group is asking the mayor to formally withdraw the city’s request for expressions of interest.

"It’s historic park land, it’s natural habitat, and outdoor fitness," Lucenkiw said.

"People are not allowed to speak out on this, so that concerns me and others."

Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) said redeveloping Harbour View would be difficult. He added the public should know in the next few weeks what the city plans to do with the courses.

"In terms of selling and redeveloping Harbour View, that site is particularly difficult because it’s on a landfill," he said.

"In the next number of weeks we’ll be in a position to clearly say which courses are off the table for any type of development, and which ones will go out to a broader consultation process."

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adrian.alleyne@canstarnews.com