Sport Manitoba officials have won their appeal to allow surface parking they insist is critical to a legacy project’s survival.

City staff had rejected the urban design application for Phase 2 of the Sport for Life Centre, specifically its 13 outdoor surface spots and 85 at-grade indoor ones. The administration felt the building’s main-floor parking plan lacked “active uses.”

“Sport Manitoba did a great job of renovating a heritage building,” said city planner John Kiernan. “The challenge has been to create street life and animation.”

But the city’s downtown development committee voted unanimously Monday, with Coun. John Orlikow (River Heights-Fort Garry) absent, to allow the current design of the Canada Games Sport for Life Centre at 145 Pacific Ave.

Organizers appear to have convinced them there was simply no time to redesign the project.

“Most importantly, (changing the design) kills the project because we don’t have the time to revamp things and to change things and to move forward,” said Jeff Palamar, chair of the Sport Manitoba board. “We’ve got a very tight timeline to build this facility in time for the Games.”

Palamar noted construction on Phase 2 must start this September to ensure it’s ready for the July 28–Aug. 13, 2017 Canada Games, a deadline its federal funding depends on. Phase 2 consists of a 124,000-square-foot Qualico Training Centre that featuring a track, aerobic-training centre, strength and conditioning areas, and three court spaces.

Sport Manitoba attempted to avoid surface parking but couldn’t afford to spend up to $1.4 million just to move MTS lines to make that possible, said Palamar. And removing parking spaces now would also add up to considerable lost operating revenues, said Jeff Hnatiuk, CEO of Sport Manitoba.

Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) initially hesitated on a rushed decision for a project presented to council as far back as 2009.

“Now all of a sudden there’s a gun to our head and it’s 2015. What happened back in 2009 that you didn’t build the field house between now and the six years since?” asked Browaty.

Hnatiuk said an immediate need for office space and wait for government funds led to the two-phase plan. The councillors, including Browaty, were ultimately convinced a design exemption should be allowed.

“I didn’t feel pressured, I felt proud. It’s a great project,” said Coun. Brian Mayes, who chairs the committee. “The stakes were pretty high so I’m really pleased with the results.”

The St. Vital councillor noted construction will actually remove a gravel surface parking lot from the current site, even if some at-grade spots remain.

joyanne.pursaga@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @pursagawpgsun