Gordon Bell students will finally get field of dreams, says Manitoba MP
But provincial government spokesperson says no deal has been struck yet
Last Updated: Thursday, June 25, 2009 | 5:26 PM CT
CBC News
The province and Canada Post reached a deal to convert a parcel of land in Winnipeg's downtown into a sports field for Gordon Bell High School Thursday morning, according to a Manitoba MP.
"We can safely say today that the field of dreams is a dream come true because there has been a breakthrough," MP Pat Martin told CBC News. "Canada Post has agreed to offer the property for sale to the province of Manitoba. The province of Manitoba is committed to the project."
However, a Manitoba government spokesperson told CBC News no deal has been struck yet, although the province and Canada Post are closer than they have ever been to reaching an agreement. A spokesperson from Canada Post also said negotiations with the province are in the works, but no decision has been made on selling the property.
'We can safely say today that the field of dreams is a dream come true because there has been a breakthrough.'—MP Pat Martin
Martin was speaking to a Gordon Bell graduation ceremony when he announced it was a done deal, prompting an eruption of cheers.
In an interview with CBC News, Martin said details couldn't be released because of confidentiality concerns, but added that Canada Post will break even on the deal.
He called the company a "good corporate citizen" for enabling Gordon Bell to take over the property adjacent to the school.
Staff and students have rallied for the space — a former car dealership at Portage and Broadway avenues — on a number of occasions, even marching to the steps of the legislature. They were hoping to turn the land into a much-needed playing field for the school.
"The continued pressure by the community just left very few options," said Martin. "Now Canada Post knows that the inner-city kids of Winnipeg need that land more than they do, and they've done the right thing in my view."
Now it's up to the province to turn it over to Gordon Bell, added Martin.
Canada Post bought the lot in February 2008 to turn it into a letter-sorting depot. A land swap deal appeared to be struck between the province of Manitoba and Canada Post in mid-April, with the Crown corporation offered another location at Higgins Avenue and Main Street.
But Canada Post turned down the offer, saying that location didn't suit its needs as well as the Portage Avenue location did.
The catchment area for the letter-sorting facility ranges from the downtown to the Polo Park mall area. The Portage Avenue location is right in the middle of that area, while the Main and Higgins location is far off the path.
Martin did not say where Canada Post would locate the new facility.
