North Kildonan complex draws complaints as temperatures climb
Residents at a large apartment complex in Winnipeg’s North Kildonan say weak, nearly non-existent cooling in their suites has left them enduring stifling indoor conditions while the city sits under a heat warning. Tenants at Edgewood Estates — which spans 50, 60 and 70 Whellams Lane and contains nearly 600 rental units — describe central air that is listed as an amenity but fails to deliver relief when it is most needed.
One resident, who has lived in the complex for eight years, said she relies on multiple portable units to bring temperatures down in her suite because the building system provides barely any airflow. She worries about older neighbours and those with health conditions in the multi-building development.
“It’s very concerning, especially for a lot of elder people that live here. For everybody that lives here, it’s hot,” said resident Kelly Forsyth, who lives at 60 Whellams Lane. “Unless you’re a lizard, you’re not going to enjoy it.”
Forsyth said the property is advertised as having central air, but she has long questioned its effectiveness.
“They shouldn’t advertise that. I guess there is central air, but it does not work,”she said, adding that the system provides heat in winter yet offers little cooling in summer:
“If you hold a Kleenex there it’s hardly even blowing.”
Devonshire Properties, the complex’s property manager, had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.
Heat warning and health concerns
Winnipeg remained under a yellow heat warning from Environment Canada over the weekend. According to the latest bulletin, the city reached 30 C on Saturday with a humidex reading near 38. Conditions intensified Sunday, with a high of 31 C and a humidex of about 39. Forecasts called for a temporary dip into the mid-20s early in the week before temperatures rebound to the 30s late week and into the weekend.
| Day | Reported high | Humidex |
|---|---|---|
| Saturday | 30 C | ~38 |
| Sunday | 31 C | ~39 |
| Mon–Tue (forecast) | Mid-20s | — |
| Late week (forecast) | Back to 30s | — |
Prolonged heat can be especially risky for seniors, people with chronic illnesses and those without access to effective cooling. Residents at Edgewood Estates say that describes many in their community, where a malfunctioning or underperforming system can quickly turn apartments into uncomfortable spaces.
Tenants describe long-standing issues
Forsyth said the air conditioning has not worked properly in her eight years at the complex. She described past summers in which the central system struggled to push cool air and noted that she and others resort to portable equipment to manage indoor temperatures. The resident said she wants clearer communication and more reliable cooling during heat warnings.
Residents also questioned whether building listings accurately reflect what tenants can expect during the hottest weeks of the year. In the absence of steady airflow, tenants are left to piece together workarounds — at additional cost and with limited effectiveness during peak heat afternoons.
- Complex spans multiple addresses: 50, 60, 70 Whellams Lane.
- Residents report minimal airflow from the central system during heat peaks.
- Winnipeg under an Environment Canada heat warning with humidex values near 40.
What’s next
With temperatures forecast to ease briefly before rising again later in the week, residents are bracing for more hot days. Tenants say they will continue to press for fixes to ensure that listed cooling systems function as advertised, particularly in a complex with a large number of suites and many older residents. CBC News previously sought comment from Devonshire Properties but had not received a response.
As the heat persists, the situation at Edgewood Estates underscores how vulnerable tenants can be when building systems do not keep pace with prolonged periods of high temperature and humidity. For now, residents say they are relying on portable units, fans and patience — and hoping for a timely resolution before the next round of 30 C days arrives.
