Windsor unveils Roseland condo plan as councillor, residents raise concerns

The condo plans have been unveiled for the upcoming housing development at Roseland Golf. CTV Windsor’s Chris Campbell has the details.

A proposed condominium development at the Roseland Golf Course is moving toward city council approval, even as a local councillor and some residents voice concerns about the project’s process and impact.

Mayor Drew Dilkens on Friday joined developers to unveil plans for ‘The Residences at Roseland,’ a roughly $33.5 million project that would see 48 condo units built on the site of the former clubhouse and adjacent parking lot at 455 Kennedy Drive.

The project, part of the city’s Housing Solutions Made for Windsor strategy, also includes construction of a new clubhouse facility. Demolition of the existing building is already underway.

Dilkens said the proposal still faces several public steps, including an open house on April 30, followed by committee review and a council vote expected as early as June.

“This process still has lots of public touchpoints,” he said, pointing to opportunities for feedback during rezoning discussions.

The mayor pushed back on criticism that the development has lacked transparency.

“Every step of the way on this project, city council has made each and every decision,” Dilkens said, calling concerns about secrecy a “false narrative.”

He added the project is aimed at meeting demand from residents — particularly older homeowners — looking to downsize while remaining in the neighbourhood.

“There are loads of people in this community who are saying, ‘I would like to live there,’” he said.

The development, led by Valente Development Corporation and Bear Construction and Engineering Inc., would include one to three-bedroom units, with prices ranging from the mid-$400,000s to more than $1 million.

Dilkens argued the mix could help the broader housing market through a “cascading effect,” as homeowners sell larger properties and free up more affordable options.

The city plans to sell approximately 1.3 acres of land for about $1.5 million to facilitate the project, while retaining ownership of the golf course and new clubhouse.

Developer Peter Valente said the project targets “empty nesters” and retirees.

“There hasn’t been a new condo built in South Windsor in quite some time,” he said.

“I just thought the market would be ready for this.”

Valente said construction could begin following approvals, with completion projected by late 2028.

However, the councillor representing the area, Fred Francis, did not attend the announcement and has publicly opposed the project.

“I’m not attending because I don’t support the project,” Francis said in a radio interview on AM800, citing concerns about limited public consultation and the use of an expression-of-interest process rather than a traditional tender.

“When you’re dealing with public land … you have to be as open and transparent and allow the public as part of that process as much as possible,” he said.

Francis also raised concerns about residents being turned away from the announcement event, calling it “completely inappropriate.”

Some nearby residents echoed concerns about the project’s impact and priorities.

James Demurs, who lives along the course and is an avid curler, said he was disappointed to see the loss of community space tied to the former clubhouse.

“It is sad to see a community centre being torn down,” he said, noting it had provided a convenient winter gathering place for seniors.

Another resident, Albert Schepers, questioned the need for new condo units and called for more community-focused amenities.

“There’s no reason why they couldn’t put a library in here or put public space in here,” he said, also raising concerns about the potential for short-term rentals.

Dilkens said council approved the project in principle by a 10-1 vote and emphasized the development would be limited to the existing clubhouse footprint to minimize impact on the historic Donald Ross-designed course.

“We want something beautiful on the Roseland site,” he said.

“If we don’t get designs that are good for this site, I’m the first one to push the eject button.”

More photos of the demolition are available here.