Development and Maintenance of Bridgwater & South Pointe

Jul 22, 2015

The Neighbourhoods of Bridgwater and South Pointe are Winnipeg’s newest residential communities. This high level overview provides simplified background information on the development and maintenance of these communities which are located in the South Winnipeg-St. Norbert ward.

Residents’ Advisory Groups

Bridgwater Forest Neighbourhood Association (BFNA): This neighbourhood association is established, and I am working closely with them on multiple community initiatives. Please refer to BFNA’s Facebook Page or E-Mail Bridgwaterforest@hotmail.com if you would like information on their association.

Bridgwater Lakes Community: I recently assisted in the formation of this group, and continue to work with them. Visit their Facebook page or their website to learn more about the role they play in the community.

South Pointe Residents’ Group: I recently assisted in the formation of this group, and continue to work with them. Visit their Facebook Page or contact my office if you would to connect with them.

*PLEASE NOTE the ‘MAINTENANCE CHALLENGES’ section at the bottom of this overview*

The Neighbourhoods of Bridgwater

Development Background:

The Province of Manitoba (specifically Manitoba Housing and Community Development Department) is the developer of this community (www.bridgwaterneighbourhoods.com)
The developer presents plans to the City of Winnipeg on how they want to develop the community. The City then works with the developer and ultimately approves the plans. In accordance with the Developer Agreement Parameters, the developer (the Province) invests in key infrastructure (roads, pathways, sewers, trees, parks, public landscaping, etc.) and prepares the land for sale to housing contractors and builders.
The Province of Manitoba determined that the proceeds of land sales would be reinvested in Winnipeg’s inner city (ie: The Bell Hotel, McFeetors Hall, St. Matthews Non-Profit Housing, etc.) For more information, refer to Manitoba Housing and Community Development Annual Reports

Maintenance Background:

The developer is responsible to maintain the area’s public green spaces for approximately two years after construction. The developer then hands over the maintenance responsibility to the City of Winnipeg.
The City becomes responsible for maintaining the public greenspace in perpetuity. Funding for maintenance comes through City taxes.
This Map of Bridgwater Lakes June, 2015 as well as the Map of Bridgwater Forest June, 2015 indicate who is responsible for maintenance of public green space in this community. As transition evolves, I will update these maps on the main page of Ward Priorities.
Community residents should E-Mail 311@winnipeg.ca or phone 311 to report a service request. The City’s 311 Service works with the Province to ensure that residents’ service requests are handled.

Booking Parks in Bridgwater: Visit City of Winnipeg – Parks and Open Space Rentals

Booking Sports Fields in Bridgwater: Visit City of Winnipeg – Athletic Fields

The Community of South Pointe

Development Background:

Ladco Company Limited, a private company, is the developer of this community (www.ladco.mb.ca/south-pointe)
The developer presents plans to the City of Winnipeg on how they want to develop the community. The City then works with the developer and ultimately approves the plans.
In accordance with the Developer Agreement Parameters, Ladco invests in key infrastructure (roads, pathways, sewer, trees, parks, public landscaping, etc.) and prepares the land for sale to housing contractors and builders.

Maintenance Background:

The developer, Ladco, is responsible to maintain the public green space for approximately two years after construction. The developer then hands over the maintenance responsibility to the City of Winnipeg.
The City becomes responsible for maintaining the public green space in perpetuity. Funding for maintenance comes through City taxes.
This Map of South Pointe June, 2015 indicates who is responsible for maintenance of public green space in South Pointe. As transition evolves, I will update this map on the main page of Ward Priorities.
Community residents should E-Mail 311@winnipeg.ca or phone 311 to report a service request. The City’s 311 Service works with Ladco to ensure that residents’ service requests are handled.

Booking Parks and Sports Fields: Currently, the City of Winnipeg is NOT booking parks/fields in South Pointe, as these greenspaces have not yet been handed over to the City.

Maintenance Challenges

Public space maintenance challenges are primarily occurring in the community of Bridgwater Forest. This development has now been handed over from the developer to the City of Winnipeg for maintenance. At present, the City is challenged and unable to maintain the area in the same manner as the developer. While Bridgwater residents pay significant taxes, WHY is the public space not maintained to the level set out by the developer? There are many reasons, none which are acceptable in my opinion ….. and I am currently working to find a solution:

The City approved a design for this community which it is unable to maintain. WHY did the City approve the public space design, knowing they could not maintain the area? I have no answer for that question right now. I am astounded this is occurring, and am currently working through a number of options, models and potential pilot projects to address the challenge.
Will the level of maintenance drop in all communities when the developer hands over responsibility to the City? I hope not – but again, the City approved a level of design for both Bridgewater and South Pointe that, based on the current level of City parks staffing, it cannot possibly maintain to the same standard.
Will this scenario reoccur in other new residential developments across Winnipeg? That is a serious concern of mine. The City needs to re-assess what they can effectively maintain in future new developments.
What can residents do?
- Please consider joining the local neighbourhood associations (refer to information above). I believe a collaborative approach, with direct input from the residents, is needed to address this issue.
- E-Mail 311@winnipeg.ca or call 311 with your concerns on this issue. You can also E-Mail me at jlukes@winnipeg.ca.

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