A long-awaited consultant’s study on repurposing up to 30 per cent of Winnipeg-owned golf lands lists dozens of “opportunities” to use the sites in new ways, including a controversial call to lease or sell John Blumberg Golf Course.

Between two reports, HTFC Planning and Design offers site-specific ideas for 11 different city golf courses. The ideas range from adding community gardens, naturalized areas and trees to new sports ventures and Indigenous acknowledgements.

Among the most significant and controversial options, is a suggestion that the city could give up ownership of Blumberg, a 200-acre city-owned golf course located in the Rural Municipality of Headingley. The report suggests the city could consider leasing or selling the site to the RM.

Coun. John Orlikow, chairman of council’s community services committee, said that idea should not be pursued.

“Right now, selling John Blumberg… isn’t on the table. Council just had that vote (to oppose that) recently,” said Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry).

Council rejected a $13.7-million proposed sale of the same course in early 2022, which would have allowed a new development with housing, commercial land and some park land.

The development proposal received strong opposition from green-space advocates.

Orlikow said conditions at golf courses have changed since council ordered the consultant’s study back in 2020, including an increased demand for golf access since the pandemic.

“Golf has taken an upswing. I’d still like to explore the option of… (making) some of our courses that aren’t being well used into more of a (broader) recreational space,” he said.

While council originally opted to explore new uses for golf course land that could have included anything from residential development (with affordable housing) to other recreation or community gardens, the city later ruled out all housing options.

“We’re not taking any green space away; bottom line,…