A Steinbach business is right now the leading candidate to purchase the John Blumberg Golf Course.

Alan Klippenstein is Director of Real Estate Development with Schinkel Properties. He says they just learned they had the top consideration for request for proposal (RFP) to purchase the golf course in Headingley.

"We're super excited," he says. "Over the moon right now."

So what does a Steinbach business want with a golf course, owned by the city of Winnipeg? According to Klippenstein, Schinkel Properties has a bunch of other developments in Headingley. He notes they are very familiar with that area.

"This parcel is a once in a lifetime opportunity," adds Klippenstein.

If the sale goes through, Klippenstein says they will create a mixed-use development, consisting of commercial, multi-family and 339 single family lots. He notes they have been working with the Rural Municipality of Headingley to create this concept.

"The thing that we're really excited about this development is just the focus on active transportation," explains Klippenstein.

He says the goal of the development is to maximize walking and running trails in summer and cross-country skiing in winter. There are over 13,000 feet of walking paths planned. He adds the Assiniboine River is a spectacular backdrop and they intend to feature the shoreline for recreation.

"We've actually designed this to have over 36 acres of green space in this development alongside our walking paths," he says. "We're really excited about the opportunity of what we could bring here and the vision that we have for this community."

If the sale goes through, it will only include the golf course and not the soccer fields or softball complex. Klippenstein says the golf course is owned by the city of Winnipeg, who is trying to sell it because it is no longer financially viable. The soccer fields and softball complex are operated by the RM of Headingley.

As mentioned, the RFP process has wrapped up and the City of Winnipeg procurement office gave its recommendation of Schinkel Properties to Winnipeg City Council. It will now be up to Winnipeg City Council to make its decision. Klippenstein says they are meeting with Winnipeg City Council next week.

"We're very hopeful that we get the votes required to process the sale," he says. "Then we would start working directly with the RM of Headingley as this would go back to their jurisdiction."

Terms of the deal have not been disclosed.

Below is the development plan presented by Schinkel Properties.