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Winnipeg Free Press
Tuesday, December 30, 2003
by Carol Sanders
THE province threw the Save Our Seine environmental
group a last-minute lifesaver yesterday, preserving a pristine
chunk of forest in south Winnipeg just days before the parkland
is rezoned for condominiums.
The Manitoba government, City of Winnipeg, Save
Our Seine River Environment Inc. (SOS) and Grandin Park Ltd. announced
an agreement that will see the protection of about 80 per cent
of the St. Vital forest known as the Bois des Esprits.
"It's a time for celebration," Seine River MLA Theresa
Oswald said at a news conference yesterday.
The SOS group has been scrambling for more than
a year trying to generate the money, public support and political
will to save 80 acres along the riverbank for a wilderness area.
On Jan. 1, the forest that runs along the Seine
south of Bishop Grandin Boulevard will no longer be zoned as parkland,
giving developers the right to begin building homes immediately.
Part of the riverfront land is slated to become the second phase
of the Royalwood subdivision.
Yesterday, the province, which owns 38 per cent
of the Grandin Park Ltd. housing development, announced with the
city and SOS the protection of 66 acres and a promise that no
development will occur on the remaining 14 acres before 2005.
The city owns about 44 per cent of the riverbank
land along the Seine and has committed to saving it. It has set
aside $1 million for the Bois des Esprits and is matching funds
raised by SOS and the province.
Bev Sawchuk, president of SOS, which raised more
than $110,000 toward the protection of the land, hailed the announcement
as a victory.
She's waiting for more details about the funding
and whether the city will extend its fund-matching donations into
the new year or if the province and its partner in the development
will agree to sell the land for less. The fate of the 14 remaining
acres -- which Sawchuk said are worth an estimated $900,000 --
hasn't yet been spelled out. The only assurances the group has
received are that no development on the 14 acres will take place
in the next year, and that the province will "work toward" protecting
the remaining section of forest.
Housing Minister and MLA for Riel, Christine Melnick,
said yesterday the partners have been able to come to an agreement
on areas called the Category 1 and 2 lands, which are deemed the
most pristine and important for protection.
For Walter Mirosh, the Seine has been a big part
of his life and part of the legacy he wants future generations
to enjoy. The Winnipeg senior grew up playing on the Seine, where
he and his buddies would launch a flat-bottomed "banana boat"
and skim past the beaver dams and enormous oaks and aspens. Today,
the meandering, arboured waterway is still home to the blue herons
and snapping turtles he marvelled at as a boy.
"When you go in there, you forget about everything
else in the world. I think it's well worth saving."
Deputy Mayor Dan Vandal said the city is pleased
the announcement will see the protection of more green space along
the river.
"The City of Winnipeg welcomes the decision to fully
protect much of the valuable forest in the Seine River area,"
said Vandal. "The city has already set aside $1 million for this
project and is matching funds raised by SOS and the province.
All Winnipeggers will benefit from preserving this important part
of our natural heritage," he said.
The developer -- who's been at odds with SOS since
last year -- was glad for the amnesty along the Seine. "We're
very pleased with the progress made to acquire the forest and
are grateful to the province and the city for their vision, leadership
and support," said Alan Borger of Grandin Park Ltd., which owns
62 per cent of the joint venture.
"By my calculation, over 80 per cent of the natural
vegetation has been preserved. That's unprecedented today," said
Borger, who did not attend the news conference yesterday.
Saving Bois des Esprits is a long-term investment,
said St.Vital city councillor Gord Steeves.
"This was here long before we were here and, God
willing, it will be here long after we leave."
carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca
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