Winnipeg | Downtown | 30 Granite Way | Granite Riverside Commons | 12F | Proposed

[cllew]

And from the city news releases today

City proposes win-win plan for The Granite: New housing and renewed partnership
Released: December 3, 2025 at 10:30 a.m.

Winnipeg, MB – A new report and a motion on the agenda for the December 9 meeting of Executive Policy Committee outlines a path forward for 22 Granite Way that strengthens the long-term future of the Granite Curling Club while advancing urgently needed affordable housing.

Following the Municipal Board’s recommendation to proceed with rezoning the site, a proposed two-pronged approach is being brought forward to support the Club and enable housing development:

Negotiate a New Lease: The City would work directly with the Granite Curling Club Board on a new long-term lease that includes an expanded leased area and dedicated on-site parking options.



Proceed with Housing: The City would move forward with rezoning to allow for housing development. The Public Service has determined the Municipal Board’s recommendation to grant the Club veto power over future development permits is not legally binding on Council. While the Public Service advises rejecting this recommendation, it remains committed to collaborating on a parking plan that ensures the Club’s operational viability.

“Winnipeg needs more housing, and we want the Granite to have a rock-solid future – we are moving forward with a plan that achieves both,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “We are committed to finalizing a new lease and a parking solution that meets the Club’s needs, while ensuring this vital housing project proceeds without unnecessary delay.”
Collaboration and Development

The west parking lot at 22 Granite Way is a key site under the city’s Housing Accelerator program, slated to provide affordable homes near transit and services. While the housing moves forward, the City will retain ownership of the riverbank and the heritage building, protecting these public assets for future generations.

The Public Service maintains that while the Club’s input on parking is important, final development approval must remain a City responsibility. Negotiations would continue regarding on-site and off-site parking options and potential capital supports for the heritage facility.

“This is a practical, solutions-focused approach,” said Councillor Evan Duncan, Chair of Property and Development. “We can protect an iconic part of Winnipeg’s sports history and create the new homes our city needs – all by working together.”

The report and motion will be considered at the December 9, 2025 meeting of Executive Policy Committee. The two-pronged approach to addressing the future of the Granite would require approval from City Council before proceeding.

[Biff]

Fucking awesome. You don't say this often but, good work city.

[drew]

I was honestly surprised that the City pretended to go along with this process at all.

Like I mentioned before, they have the means for litigation that is virtually untouchable. If they want something, it will happen.

I guess the province also has similar unlimited means for litigation - but I doubt that they have any desire to fight this one out.

[bomberjet]

So the municipal board is useless and powerless to enforce it's recommendations?

[EdwardTH]

Originally Posted by cllew

And from the city news releases today

a new long-term lease that includes an expanded leased area and dedicated on-site parking options.

Hopefully this doesn't just mean paving over the Beer Can area and turning it into parking...

[Mr Tall Forehead]

The municipal board was so desperately out of their realm on this hearing that they issued a ruling with unenforceable conditions. Good on the city for calling BS on this.

The province won't challenge this. The curling club might, but at what point does the club (which is apparently struggling financially ) decide that they've spent enough $$ on preventing affordable housing?

[drew]

Originally Posted by EdwardTH

Hopefully this doesn't just mean paving over the Beer Can area and turning it into parking...

The Beer Can seems to be a business model with some location flexibility.

But if that does happen, Granite kinda shot themselves in the foot with the importance placed on the parking aspect as it relates to their attempts to thwart this development.

[neutroniks]

Correct. Beercan was very successful on Main St before moving to the Granite. They can definitely move shop else where, and the people will follow.

[pspeid]

Originally Posted by Mr Tall Forehead

The municipal board was so desperately out of their realm on this hearing that they issued a ruling with unenforceable conditions. Good on the city for calling BS on this.

The province won't challenge this. The curling club might, but at what point does the club (which is apparently struggling financially ) decide that they've spent enough $$ on preventing affordable housing?

First if all, my reaction to this news today is (and please excuse the vulgarity)...F'N YEAH!!!!!

Back to the curling club board. They are so out of touch with reality I really wouldn't put anything past them. This is from the CBC article:

"Veitch says the curling club's board requested "a series of financial subsidies and cost reimbursements amounting to well over $800,000 annually" in 2024 as part of a new lease. The board wants rent reduced to $1, tax subsidies, repairs to the building and its property, and the banks of the Assiniboine River stabilized."

I still shake my head reading this. They don't have a leg to stand on and they're naming conditions? I almost admire their commitment to self-delusion; it stands, rock-like, in the face of all logic and reality.

Link to the entire article, if anyone hasn't read it yet:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/city-report-granite-curling-club-municipal-board-9.7001594

[reallycoolguy]

This is confusing to me. Why is the city able to ignore the Municipal Board's recommendation? What was even the point of getting them involved if they can't enforce it?

[borkborkbork]

Originally Posted by reallycoolguy

This is confusing to me. Why is the city able to ignore the Municipal Board's recommendation? What was even the point of getting them involved if they can't enforce it?

FROM: Director, Legal Services
TO: Executive Policy Committee
RE: Municipal Board decision

Dear members of the EPC,

As requested, here is our legal analysis of the Municipal Board's decision in regards to the rezoning of 22 Granite Way:

Lol, lmao.

Please do not hesitate to contact my office if there are any further questions on this matter.

[trueviking]

I'm not sure beer can would be as successful elsewhere...the other versions haven't been...but that won't be the solution.

[trueviking]

I wonder if this is the end of the municipal board in Winnipeg?

[trueviking]

basically the granite spent $100k in legal fees and the city replied...yeah, no thanks.

[Mr Tall Forehead]

Originally Posted by borkborkbork

FROM: Director, Legal Services
TO: Executive Policy Committee
RE: Municipal Board decision

Dear members of the EPC,

As requested, here is our legal analysis of the Municipal Board's decision in regards to the rezoning of 22 Granite Way:

Lol, lmao.

Please do not hesitate to contact my office if there are any further questions on this matter.

[Mr Tall Forehead]

Originally Posted by reallycoolguy

This is confusing to me. Why is the city able to ignore the Municipal Board's recommendation? What was even the point of getting them involved if they can't enforce it?

The decision wouldn’t stand up to a legal challenge. It would be like giving Build a Bear or Spencers the veto power to approve a parking plan before Cadillac Fairview could develop on the Polo Park parking lots.

[neutroniks]

Originally Posted by trueviking

I'm not sure beer can would be as successful elsewhere...the other versions haven't been...but that won't be the solution.

I believe the beercan has been successful because of whos running it (vibes, service, etc). The others I feel just aren't as successful because the Beercan existed first. If the beercan moves, I think the people will follow.

[Danny D Oh]

Originally Posted by Mr Tall Forehead

The municipal board was so desperately out of their realm on this hearing that they issued a ruling with unenforceable conditions. Good on the city for calling BS on this.

The province won't challenge this. The curling club might, but at what point does the club (which is apparently struggling financially ) decide that they've spent enough $$ on preventing affordable housing?

Their board is a lot of lawyers so I'm guessing they are getting a deal on representation. But as a tenant, how much control do you ever have on a property? The City isn't trying to evict them directly or functionally. There's lots of solutions to the issue for parking.

Again, this land is public property because this curling club did not pay their property taxes 50 years ago. They need to look in the mirror. I would suggest the solution to all of their problems is to fundraise among members to buy it back if they want to dictate how the land is used.

[trueviking]

Originally Posted by neutroniks

I believe the beercan has been successful because of whos running it (vibes, service, etc). The others I feel just aren't as successful because the Beercan existed first. If the beercan moves, I think the people will follow.

Hmm. Not sure about that. It’s a pretty special location. A big part of why my friends and I go.

I’m very confident it won’t have to move.

[The Jabroni]

F***ing eh! The city did something good for a change.