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February 15, 2012

Our golf courses aren't for sale - sign the petition!

At the January City Council meeting, Councillors Orlikow and Gerbasi moved a motion to create a proper process for public input and guidance on our golf course lands. A procedural manoeuvre was used to debate it immediately, effectively killing the motion and preventing it from being referred to a public committee process where people could have had a chance to be heard.

Both Councillors Orlikow and Gerbasi tried again to move a motion at the recent City Centre Community Committee which called for "a thorough public consultation process, including community and non-profit organizations as well as all interested stakeholders and citizens, regarding present and alternative uses of golf courses."

On February 14, this motion was basically squashed when members of the Standing Committee on Property and Development ruled the motion out of order. The 20 or so delegations registered to speak were sent home without being heard.

We believe this motion was in order and could have been heard and referred back to the Alternate Service Delivery Committee or Executive Policy Committee. In light of the above,

OURS, (Outdoor Urban Recreational Spaces) is taking a stand to stop the sale and development of Winnipeg's city-owned golf courses.

Current Actions!

Please take action by signing the on-line petition. These petitions will be delivered to the Mayor's office asking for genuine and timely public consultation regarding the sale and development of nature spaces, riverbank spaces, and parks.

Spread the word!

- Tell all your friends, family, work colleagues what is happening.
- Forward the link to the petition to others and ask for their support.

October 5, 2011

City to consider offers for purchase of golf courses

The City of Winnipeg has put out an expression of interest for the sale of seven of it's golf courses for commercial or residential develpment or take over their long-term lease.

This past May, City Council tabled two motions in response to the recommendations contained in the Operational Review of Winnipeg Golf Services Audit report. The first motion would see the City enter into a competitive bid process for the operation of the City-run golf courses, while the second motion was to stop operating golf courses altogether and sell off some of the property for commercial or residential development.

"We advised the City that before any final decisions are made, a full business plan should be provided to the citizens before rushing to conclude that contracting out and privatization will automatically correct the problems," said Local 500 President Mike Davidson.

The city-owned golf courses that are potentially affected include: Windsor Park, Kildonan Park, Harbour View, Crescent Drive, John Blumberg, Tuxedo and Canoe Club.

"We have a long and proud history of providing a full range of golf services that are easily accessible to the community and affordable for the average person to play," said Local 500 President Mike Davidson. "Any move to contract out/sell-off the city's golf courses would be opposed by the union," he said.

Local 500 is taking steps to actively respond to this issue. With the support of our National Union, we will continue to work hard on behalf of the membership to defend our work and these important services. We will update the membership on this issue once more information becomes available.

Click here to view a copy of the "expression of interest" issued by the City of Winnipeg.

May 25, 2011

CUPE opposes contracting out/sale of Winnipeg's golf courses

"Any move to contract out/sell-off the city's golf courses would be opposed by the union," said Local 500 President Mike Davidson. His comments were in response to the recommendations contained in the Operational Review of Winnipeg Golf Services Audit report which was voted on by City Council at its meeting held on May 25.

The first of the two motions tabled would see the City enter into a competitive bid process for the operation of the City-run golf courses. But what is potentially more concerning is the second motion that would see the City stop operating golf courses altogether and sell off some of the property for commercial or residential development.

In his presentation to City Council, Local 500 President Mike Davidson reminded politicians of the history and important role municipal golf courses play in our communities. He also said that the municipal golf courses are the price setters locally and therefore contribute to the affordability of golf in Winnipeg.

"We have a long and proud history of providing a full range of golf services to thousands of Winnipeggers for many decades," said Local 500 President Mike Davidson. "They are publicly owned and have provided an affordable and accessible option for beginners, young people, families, seniors and others for almost 100 years."

According to the City's audit report, Winnipeg Golf Services lost $1.1 million last year, and is projected to lose another $1 million in 2011.

Davidson pointed out that although transfers to general revenue stopped in 2009, there was $1.7 million in revenue transferred from 2003 to 2009 that could have been reinvested into the golf course services infrastructure.

In his closing statement, Davidson advised the City that before any final decisions are made, a full business plan should be provided to the citizens before rushing to conclude that contracting out and privatization will automatically correct the problems.

Voting Record

Here's how the Mayor and City Councillor's voted on this issue:

The vote for the first motion (Competitive Bid Process to Manage Golf Services - Motion 2a) was passed 12-4. In favor were: Katz, Browaty, Fielding, Havlixbeck, Nordman, Pagtikhan, Sharma, Steen, Steeves, Swandel, Vandal and Wyatt. Opposed were: Eadie, Gerebasi, Orlikow and Smith

The vote for the second motion (Divestiture- Motion 2b) was 10-6. In favor were: Katz, Browaty, Fielding, Havlixbeck, Nordman, Sharma, Steen, Steeves, Swandel, and Vandal. Opposed were: Eadie, Gerebasi, Orlikow, Pagtikhan, Wyatt and Smith.

Both of the above motions will have to come back to city council before anything is privatized or sold off.

Local 500 is taking steps to actively respond to this issue. With the support of our National Union, we will continue to work hard on behalf of the membership to defend our work and these important services. We will update the membership on this issue once more information becomes available.