Winnipeg Curling Club Wins Key Parking Battle Over Apartment Complex

URGENT UPDATE: The Manitoba Municipal Board has just ruled that Winnipeg’s controversial apartment complex project can only move forward if the neighboring Granite Curling Club approves the parking arrangements. This decision, detailed in a newly released 47-page report, emphasizes the need for an “adequate” parking plan to sustain the club’s operations.

The proposed 111-unit apartment complex, situated on a parking lot owned by the city, has faced significant opposition from the curling club. Officials argue that the development could eliminate more than half of the club’s parking spaces, jeopardizing its revenue and potentially driving away members, which threatens the club’s long-term viability.

In the ruling, the Municipal Board directed both the city and the curling club to negotiate a “reasonable” parking solution that is satisfactory to all parties involved, including the Director of Public Works and the Director of Planning, Property and Development. The board emphasized that any lost parking spaces must be replaced with accessible and ongoing parking options.

The proposed apartment complex, developed by the University of Winnipeg Community Renewal Corporation 2.0, is designed to offer a mix of rental opportunities: 55 market-rent units, 12 units priced at 79% of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s median market rent, and 14 units at 69% of that rate. The remaining 30 units aim to provide rent geared to income.

This ruling has reignited discussions about the balance between housing development and community needs in Winnipeg. The curling club’s board expressed concerns that the city’s approach would set a dangerous precedent, undermining property rights for developers while also impacting a cherished community asset.

As negotiations begin, the city and the Granite Curling Club must act swiftly to reach an agreement that allows this affordable housing project to proceed while preserving the club’s operational integrity.

This ongoing dispute highlights the urgent need for effective collaboration between city officials and local organizations in addressing both housing shortages and community welfare. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.