Meeting about Kapyong Barracks urban reserve draws hundreds

Hundreds of people gathered Thursday night to talk about the future of Kapyong Barracks, the old military base in Winnipeg that has satempty since 2004 and remains tangled in a court battle.

The talk centred on turning the 159-acre siteon KenastonBoulevard into an urban reserve and to better explain what that means.

"You know we need to break down a lot of misconceptions.It's a win-win for all," said Leah Gazan, a First Nations advocate who works at the University of Winnipeg.

"It creates employment [and] it certainly would revitalize the dilapidated Kapyong Barracks."

The meeting, heldat the Canadian Mennonite University, not far from theKapyongsite,was a chance for dialogue between people who live in the area and the First Nations who want the land.

"Given the issues that we're faced with today, in terms of economic job growth, it represents a tremendous opportunity,"PeguisFirst Nation chiefGlenn Hudson said about creating an urban reserve.

The Department of National Defence declared site surplus after the 2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry was relocated toCFBShilonear Brandon.

The federal Treasury Board tried to transfer the land to a Crown corporation known as Canada Lands Co. to oversee the land's redevelopment and resale, but a group of First Nations went to the Federal Court to block the move.

• Kapyong transfer invalid, court rules
• KapyongBarracks ruling favours First Nations

Theyargue that under a treaty land entitlement process, they were allowed to negotiate for federal property that has been declared surplus.

The case has been caught up in the courts ever since and the federal government has spent millions of dollars over the yearsto maintain the barracks property and keep it secured.

• Kapyong Barracks deteriorating as court battle wages on

First Nations leaders have said they would prefer to sit down with the government and work out a deal, ideally towards building a mixed commercial and residential development there.