Fate of Granite Curling Club parking lot unresolved following 10 hour debate

On Thursday, members of Winnipeg’s Property and Development committee heard impassioned testimonies from both those in favour of a housing development planned to be built on a portion of what currently is the west parking lot here at the Granite Curling Club.

“This is about taking a parking lot and turning it into housing, desperately needed housing,” said a Winnipeg resident.

Jamie Hay, the general manager of Granite Curling Club however says, “We are probably going to lose 60 parking spots leaving us with only 15, we have 15 parking spots we can’t have any daytime events.”

RELATED: Is the future of Manitoba’s oldest curling club in jeopardy?

But alas, after over 10 hours of debate, no resolution was found, meaning this dispute is heading to extra ends.

In the end, the committee was deadlocked in a 2-2 vote, meaning the hammer, now lies in the hands of the mayor’s executive policy committee without any recommendations. 

“Anytime a 1,000 community members come together in opposition to an issue, I think we can agree something has gone awry,” said Christian Pierce, the Board Secretary of the Granite Curling Club on Thursday.

Pierce says while they would prefer to have a solution in hand, he’s hopeful they made it clear that the Granite deserves a seat at the table.

“There was a great discourse on both sides and I think the message that got across in the end is that the Granite really does need to be considered with the city considering next steps so we took that as a win.”

On Thursday a number of Granite members spoke in favour of the development, citing Winnipeg’s desperate need for affordable housing. Pierce says he’s already reached out to the group hoping to set up a meeting, with the aim of finding a solution that serves all sides.

“Ultimately we want a win-win here and I think we can get there but it requires the city to make sure our concerns are addressed.  If they are addressed I think this can be resolved.”