Plan to build housing next to Granite Curling Club passes key vote at city council committee

Posted on February 18, 2025 by Peggy

A proposal clearing the way to build affordable housing next to the Granite Curling Club passed a key vote at city hall on Tuesday.

The executive policy committee (EPC) unanimously passed a motion approving the subdivision and rezoning of the west parking lot on the west side of the century-old building at 22 Granite Way.

Earlier this month, the property committee split the vote on a plan to subdivide and rezone the parking lot next to the curling club.

The city, which owns both the club and the parking lot, wants to separate the two in order to build a 111-unit affordable housing building.

It would have 55 market-rent units, another 12 at 79 per cent of the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s median market rent, and 14 at 69 per cent of that rate. The remaining 30 rentals would be geared to income.

The club’s board says the plan threatens the club’s future because it would lose about 70 per cent of its parking spots. It says the loss of parking would lead to curlers choosing other locations to play, and they would also lose out on money from renting those spaces during the day.

Christian Pierce, the board’s secretary, has also questioned why the city only approached one developer, UWCRC 2.0, rather than going through a public request for proposals.

The city and developer have offered the club the use of 15 parking spaces in the new development, and suggested more parking could be available across the street at the Canada Life building. They have also offered to include a revenue stream from the new building that would support the long-term maintenance of the curling club.

The club says those offers don’t go far enough to alleviate their concerns, and they have asked for guarantees of how much money they would receive. They also say Canada Life has refused to guarantee them continuing access to its parking spaces.

Mayor Scott Gillingham and the ECL approved an amending motion from Coun. Vivian Santos (Point Douglas), directing city staff to work with Granite executives and the developer to support the club’s sustainability.

The same motion failed to pass at the property committee meeting last week. Santos and the committee chair, Coun. Evan Duncan (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Westwood), voted in favour, while Coun. Russ Wyatt (Transcona) and Coun. Jason Schreyer (Elmwood-East Kildonan) voted against.

The plan still needs approval from council.