By Trevor Greyeyes EAST ST. PAUL July 13, 2026 - Remember that daycare Peguis First Nation Real Estate Trust (PFNRET) owned in the former Meadows Golf Course. The property remains of interest to many Peguis members because of its connection to the PFNRET and previous controversies surrounding ownership and development agreements. A major residential development proposed for the former Meadows golf course property is facing increasing resistance from East St. Paul residents, raising new questions about the future of land once connected to Peguis First Nation settlement investments. The proposed development, associated with Winnipeg developer Andrew Marquess, could bring thousands of housing units to the municipality. However, residents have raised concerns about traffic, wastewater capacity, stormwater management, schools and the overall scale of the project. While control of much of the former Meadows property transferred through agreements involving companies associated with Marquess, PFNRET continues to own land within the development area, including the daycare facility constructed on the site. The daycare remains owned and operated by the Trust. Despite earlier controversies surrounding the transaction, the development has already generated revenue. Earlier reporting by Terra Indigena showed PFNRET received an interest payment under the agreement. Trust officials subsequently used part of those funds to address utility arrears affecting the daycare building.
The latest debate therefore focuses not on whether the land has generated any return, but on the long-term future of a development that may be critical to realizing the full value of the project. If the development proceeds, the property could become one of the largest residential projects in the region. If approvals are delayed, infrastructure issues remain unresolved, or the scale of the project is reduced, questions may arise about how that affects future plans for the land and the economic expectations attached to it. Residents opposed to the project have raised concerns about municipal servicing capacity, traffic congestion, stormwater management, school capacity and whether the proposed density is consistent with East St. Paul's planning framework. For now, municipal officials, residents and developers remain locked in a debate over growth, infrastructure and community planning.
Peguis members, meanwhile, may be watching closely because the outcome could influence the future of land that remains partially owned by PFNRET and continues to play a role in the First Nation's economic development efforts. As of this article, PRNRET has not responded to requests for comment on the current status of the daycare building in East St. Paul.