Granite Curling Club Drags Winnipeg City to Court Over Housing Plan

Winnipeg’s Granite Curling Club has moved to court, challenging the City of Winnipeg’s decision to approve a residential housing project planned next to the historic curling facility. The club is seeking a legal ruling on whether the city was allowed to ignore a provincial recommendation related to the development.

The case has been filed in Manitoba’s Court of King’s Bench, where the curling club is requesting a judicial review of a decision taken by Winnipeg city council in December. That decision cleared the way for an apartment complex to be built on a city-owned parking lot along Granite Way. The project is being developed by an arm’s-length redevelopment agency associated with the University of Winnipeg.

According to court documents, the Granite Curling Club is asking the judge to overturn the city council’s approval. The club also wants the court to declare that the city failed to follow its own charter by disregarding advice from the provincially appointed Municipal Board. The board had recommended that no development approval be granted until the city and the curling club reached a clear agreement on parking arrangements.

The curling club argues that the loss of the parking lot would significantly impact its operations. Club officials say parking is critical for daily activities, major tournaments, league games, and member access. They warn that reduced parking could threaten the club’s long-term financial stability.

Christian Pierce, secretary of the club’s board of directors, said the court application is not about seeking compensation. He emphasized that the club is simply asking for a legal interpretation of whether the city followed proper procedures.

City officials and the mayor’s office declined to comment on the legal challenge. However, city council approved the rezoning after receiving advice from city legal and real estate staff, who concluded the city does not have the authority to give the curling club effective control over a development proposed by a third party.

Earlier this month, the mayor indicated that the city remains open to negotiating with the curling club to address concerns, including parking solutions. The club has said it welcomes those discussions and hopes a resolution can still be reached.

Not all members of the Granite Curling Club oppose the housing project. A group of members who support the development argue that the legal challenge is unnecessary. One representative said the board is spending public funds and club resources to block a housing project based on claims they believe are unsupported.

The case has added to the broader debate in Winnipeg over urban housing development, land use, and how cities balance community institutions with the need for new residential spaces. A hearing date has not yet been announced.