Save Our Seine (SOS) is a community based stewardship group whose mandate is to protect, preserve and enhance the Seine River Environment within the City of Winnipeg. An important objective of SOS is to promote the development of an ethic of environmental stewardship with local citizens through leadership, public education and participatory activities.
More and more Canadians are living in urban centres; this increases the need to protect the remaining natural urban environment for the benefit of even more citizens. These natural areas are priceless and will be treasured by future generations.
The purpose of this site is to inform citizens concerned about the Seine River and issues affecting it. This website is also a tool to enable citizens to protect, preserve, enhance and enjoy their Seine River Greenway.
Petition to Mayor Sam Katz and City Councillors of Winnipeg
Visit http://www.ours-winnipeg.com for further information and updates
Petition.pdf DEADLINE EXTENDED TO JAN 23, 2012
Background Information Re: Petition to Mayor Sam Katz and City Councillors of Winnipeg
The petition requests timely and genuine community consultation regarding the City of Winnipeg’s invitation to sell public parkland to developers for commercial and residential development.
In October, the City of Winnipeg quietly put forward the following Expression of Interest for seven City owned golf courses without community consultation -
“City of Winnipeg Expression of Interest for commercial and residential development of city owned Golf Courses - October 26, 2011 497-2011” http://www.winnipeg.ca/finance/findata/matmgt/bidres/past/2011.asp Prior to initiating negotiations with the City a deposit of $50,000 is required, effectively screening out non-profit organizations from any expression of interest.
In the short term, the City would like Expressions of Interest to operate the golf courses until the developers get their plans in place. In the long term, the City wishes to “divest itself from the operation of public golf courses since the need is adequately met in the private sector. Any surplus property can them be sold for commercial or residential development to raise capital for reinvestment in other open park space”. Source: Council Minutes May 25, 2011 and Appendix 2 Alternative Service Delivery Minute, Council Minute Audit Report, http://www.winnipeg.ca/finance/findata/matmgt/documents/2011/497-2011/497-2011_Appendix_2_Council_ASD_Audit_Reports%20.pdf and Operational Review of Winnipeg Golf Courses Audit, November 2010
The City has stated that there is too much parkland without regard to quality of specific parklands (cross country ski trail infrastructure, river corridors, naturally treed areas and historic areas).
Windsor Park Golf Course, among others was developed in 1924 as it was considered to be to be an important part of our early regional parks and recreation system. Future generations will inherit what we leave.
City of Winnipeg’s Complete Communities document: Overall vision principle #4, Page 30 http://speakupwinnipeg.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/CompleteCommunities.Jul26.WEB_.RGB_.pdf
OurWinnipeg builds on existing assets, including natural heritage features (rivers, urban forests, and parks).
What the lack of consultation and loss of parkland means to the citizens of Winnipeg:
"We demand meaningful, timely public consultation prior to the sale or redevelopment of City of Winnipeg golf courses."
The petition is the first step to gather support to present concerns to City Council.
Please click on the following link to download and print the petition to Mayor Sam Katz and City Councillors of Winnipeg.
Posted on December 2, 2011.
Petition
See the Current Activity along the Seine for the most recent news
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