Municipal Board to decide fate of proposed housing development next to curling club

The Manitoba Municipal Board will have the final say on whether a hotly debated affordable housing development gets built next to the Granite Curling Club.

While Winnipeg city council approved the 111-unit residential building on the city-owned land in February, opponents have now appealed the matter to the provincial board.

Following an upcoming hearing, the board will issue a binding, final order to the city on the project.

While supporters champion the project’s promise to ensure half its housing suites have affordable rents for 99 years, critics say the location would cost the long-standing club more than half its parking stalls, rendering it no longer viable.

“Right now, we have 80 spots. If the development went as proposed, we would go down to 35 spots…. If we were to lose over half our parking, I have no doubt we would lose a substantial number of members and not be able to financially sustain ourselves,” said Christian Pierce, secretary of the Granite Curling Club’s board.

Pierce said dozens of the club’s executive members and curlers called for the Municipal Board to weigh in on the decision.

When city council approved the housing project, it also directed city staff to work with the curling club to create “an adequate parking plan” that sustains its operations. However, Pierce said no progress has been made on that front.

“The Granite is still willing to work with the city to come up with a solution… but at this time the city’s provided no solutions to the parking (or other requests for) riverbank stabilization or (a) revenue share of the development if it proceeds,” he said.

He said the club is not opposed to affordable housing but must protect its own future.

“The Granite’s been there for over (100) years at that exact location and it’s world-renowned. It’s got a rich cultural history…. It would be a tragedy if we were to lose it,” said Pierce.

Meanwhile, an organization the city tapped to develop the land at 22 Granite Way said a housing crisis underlines a clear need for the affordable residences it would produce.

“What’s proposed is a net-carbon zero, 111-unit, mixed-income housing project that would (include) 56 affordable units… (including) 30 rent-geared-to-income units,” said Jeremy Read, chief executive officer of the the University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corp. 2.0 Inc.

Some rent geared-to-income units, made possible by subsidies, would see tenants pay monthly rents as low as $285, said Read.

He said there’s a clear need for such homes in the area, noting the nearby West Broadway Commons building has a waiting list of more than 350 households for its 56 affordable units.

“There’s a significant need and this (new) project isn’t going to meet all of it,” he said.

Originally, developers hoped to begin construction on the project by late summer or early fall but must now wait for the outcome of the Municipal Board hearing first, he said.

“It’s delayed the project, at this point, at least six months,” said Read.

Coun. Evan Duncan, chairman of council’s property and development committee, said the site offers an “excellent” location to add much-needed reduced-rent homes.

“I think it’s still a great opportunity and, above all else, if it’s still involving affordable and deeply affordable units, that’s exactly what I’m hearing from Winnipeggers… there is just not enough of,” said Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood). “Winnipeggers who have been struggling to find a place that they can call their own for a long period of time (could finally) have that option.”

The councillor said creating homes right next to the curling club could also help it attract new patrons, potentially making up for the loss of parking.

A request to interview someone from the city’s planning, property and development department was not granted Monday.

“We’re unable to speak to the matter as it is currently in active appeal,” spokeswoman Deborah Bowers said in an email.

The Municipal Board is scheduled to begin its public hearing on the matter at 9:30 a.m. on Aug. 26 at the Norwood Community Centre. If needed, the hearing could continue on Aug. 27 and Aug. 28.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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