Community to discuss future of golf course

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This article was published 22/11/2011 (3188 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A local environmental group is hoping to bring the community together to discuss the possible sale of the Windsor Park Golf Course.

The city-owned golf course is one of seven listed by the city last month in an expression of interest, which invited proposals to either take over the operation and long-term lease of the courses, or purchase the land for commercial or residential development.

The move comes after auditors discovered a number of city golf courses are losing money.

The other courses listed are the Canoe Club in St. Vital, Tuxedo, Crescent Drive in Fort Garry, Harbour View in North Kildonan, Kildonan Park in West Kildonan, and John Blumberg in the RM of Headingley.

Cameron Regier, a board member of the environmental non-profit Save Our Seine, said the group is organizing a public meeting about the future of the Windsor Park Golf Course.

"We’re concerned with the fact (the city) is selling a large portion of parkland, essentially, that has a lot of potential," Regier said.

The Seine River flows through the property, which is straddled by Windsor Park to the east, and St. Vital to the west.

Regier said the purpose of the meeting is to give residents and other stakeholders a chance to express what they’d like to see happen to the property.

He said he hopes the event will get everybody in the community on the same page, and help organize the next step to keep the golf course as green space.

If a golf course isn’t the right fit for the land, Regier said the possibilities are endless and could include everything from soccer and football pitches to ultimate fields, dog parks and trails.

"It’s a big opportunity for the community," he said.

Regier said there are also concerns about the future of the Windsor Park Nordic Centre, which grooms the golf course during the winter for cross country skiers.

"If that were to be developed, the (Nordic Centre) would disappear," he said.

Save Our Seine is interested in seeing the golf course used to connect kilometers of trails that wind throughout southeast Winnipeg, Regier added.

The group would also like to see the restoration of the Seine River’s riparian zone — the natural ecosystem located along riverbanks — within the golf course’s parameters.

The stakeholders meeting will be held Wed., Nov. 30 at St. Mary’s Road United Church (613 St. Mary’s Rd.) at 7 p.m.

For more information, contact Save Our Seine at saveourseine@gmail.com or 794-3700.

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