Golfers teed off over potential Blumberg sale
Some golfers and activists are voicing concerns about the potential sale of John Blumberg golf course in Headingley.
Stepping into the tee box, Greg Russell says John Blumberg is his type of golf course.
“It’s wide open so for me a hacker it’s pretty good,” said Russell. But he and other regulars are worried about its future.
“We need the green space,” said Russell.
“I want the city councillors to do the right thing and vote to keep this green space open,” said golfer Freda Tsouras.
The city owns the course in the RM of Headingley which was declared surplus in 2013. For a time it fell into disrepair.
Last year city council signed off on a request for proposals process to sell the property or enter into a joint venture agreement.
Now a petition is going around to stop a sale and keep the golf course.
Brian Campbell supports the petition.
“I took the course on five years ago, it was strictly to save the course,” said Campbell.
Campbell has been operating the course since 2017, and said he put at least $300,000 into it, and believes he’s turned things around.
He worries a sale could lead to development taking over the greens and the sand traps, leaving golfers in the rough.
“The golfers that play there presently, that have played there for the past 20 years, like the direction the golf course is going.”
If a sale happens, 90 per cent of proceeds would go into a pot to fund in part recreation infrastructure, green space and trees in Winnipeg.
In a statement the city says the request for proposals issued for the sale or joint venture has closed.
“Following evaluations of all submitted proposals, the City will be making a recommendation in the coming months to the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development… We aren’t able to provide any details about the submitted proposals at this time," the city said.
The RM of Headingley tells CTV News it is disappointed after submitting a proposal which it says was rejected.
Charleswood city councillor Kevin Klein says he would like to see the city partner with the RM on this to get even more use out of the current site.
“If it can make money as a golf course and it’s being used as a golf course that’s great, but you know can we use it at different times of the year, for other activities?” said Klein.
Users now say they want golf to continue at Blumberg, for the community.
“I believe young fathers and their sons come here to play golf and their daughters,” said Russell.
The city’s 2020 budget contained a plan to repurpose 30 per cent of city-owned golf lands for things like green space, active transportation, community gardens and housing including affordable units.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.