For sale by City of Winnipeg: Golf course with river views

The City of Winnipeg's property and planning departmentis laying the groundwork to sell the John Blumberg Golf Course in Headingley.

A report to thecommittee recommends the citymarket the 150-acre property, which has18-hole and nine-hole golf courses, through a request for proposals that includes anoption to purchase or enter into a joint venture.

If approved, 10 per cent of the proceeds of the sale would be retained by the city'sGolf Services department's special operating agency for expenses related to the sale and the rest directed to what the report calls a "transformative fund."

GolfServices would use its portion for "'wind-up costs and reinvestment into future capital needs."

The fund not yet formally establishedby city council"is intended to support investments that transform the delivery of services and reduce the city's infrastructure deficit with a focus on recreation and public green space."

Fiveper cent of the sale price (after expenses)would be allocated to each of the Gail Parvin Hammerquist Fund (for the preservation of heritage buildings)and the city's Enhanced Land Marketing Program.

The city has owned the property since 1964. In March this year, city council directedproperty and planning departmentstaff to come back with recommendation to sell it off or find some kind ofa joint venture for the land.

The propertywas originally intended to be sold a few years ago, but was taken off the marketdue to a lease agreement dispute with the previous golf course operator.

That agreement was subsequently terminated, and a new operator was found in 2017. Putting the property back on the market was delayed until the citydealt with the previous operator's agreement dispute.

If the property is sold the city will not receive any proceeds from future property taxes from the land because it is inthe rural municipality of Headingley.