Winnipeg Minute: Arena Upgrades, Contract Dispute, and Heating Alternatives Rejected

Winnipeg Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Winnipeg politics

This Week In Winnipeg:

• A Human Rights Committee of Council meeting, originally scheduled for 12:00 pm today, is cancelled. The Assiniboia Community Committee will meet on Tuesday at 9:30 am. At the same time, there will be a special meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Property and Development. The Committee will discuss a dispute between the owners of two adjacent buildings over construction at 174 Provencher Blvd, which may increase snow load on the neighboring 180 Provencher Blvd. The owner of 180 Provencher Blvd is concerned about the snow load and potential asbestos disturbance during necessary roof work. The City of Winnipeg issued a building permit for 174 Provencher Blvd after the developer addressed some concerns, but the property owner appealed. The appeal hearing is ongoing.
  
  
• The Winnipeg Food Council will meet on Tuesday at 12:00 pm. No agenda is available for this meeting yet. On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, the Lord Selkirk - West Kildonan Community Committee will meet, followed by a meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Finance and Economic Development at 1:30 pm. At the latter meeting, the Committee will discuss 2023 Population Estimates by Ward, the Major Capital Projects Reporting Schedule - Q4, and Soldiers’ Taxation Relief for 2024, among other items.
  
  
• On Thursday, at 9:30 am, the Standing Policy Committee on Community Services will meet. The agenda includes the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service Strategic Direction Annual Report, the Winnipeg Parks Strategy Biennial Update, and a report on Regulating Short-Term Rental Accommodations, among several other items. Finally, on Friday, the Standing Policy Committee on Public Works will meet at 9:30 am. No agenda is available for this meeting yet.

Last Week In Winnipeg:

• The City of Winnipeg has completed $3 million in arena upgrades as part of a multi-year renewal program. This year's improvements include new rink lighting, roof replacements, upgraded score clocks, and ice plant enhancements at several arenas. Notable venues like Sam Southern, Terry Sawchuk, and Billy Mosienko arenas benefited from these upgrades, which aim to improve safety and accessibility for recreational activities. Future projects for 2025 will include new washrooms, additional ice plant upgrades, and concrete repairs at multiple arenas. The investments are designed to provide Winnipeggers with modern and safe spaces for year-round sports and community events.
  
  
• Councillor Brian Mayes expressed frustration after the City's Water and Waste Committee rejected a motion to study alternatives to natural gas heating. The proposed study aimed to explore options for transitioning buildings away from natural gas, which accounts for 44% of Winnipeg's carbon emissions. The Committee voted against the motion, citing the complexity and cost of a City-led phaseout without provincial or federal support. While the motion failed, the Committee approved a separate request for an update on provincial efforts to establish a geothermal utility, which now awaits Council approval.
  
  
• Stark International Inc., a Nova Scotia-based infrastructure firm, has taken legal action against the City over a canceled contract for repairs at the North End Sewage Treatment Plant. The company alleges mismanagement and claims it is owed nearly $95,000, along with additional damages. The lawsuit centers on delays and disputes regarding transformer repairs and roof replacements, with Stark accusing the City of failing to provide necessary technical information. This legal issue comes amid ongoing struggles with the plant’s extensive and delayed upgrades, which have seen costs soar from $553 million to over $1 billion. The City is also under pressure to address capacity issues and secure funding for further infrastructure improvements.