Condo lawsuit alleges balconies pose 'serious safety risk'

Owners of units in a four-year-old condominium complex near St. Anne's Road and Warde Avenue in Winnipeg have launched a lawsuit alleging multiple defects in their building, some of which they say pose safety risks.

Winnipeg condominium corporationnumber 807names multiple parties in the lawsuit, including developerOdyssey Holdings Inc., engineering firm Hanuschak Consultants and architect Otto Cheng.

None of the condo owners'allegations have been proven in court.

Many of the alleged problems affect the balconies, which owners say are "deflecting downward at the outside corners."

The lawsuitblames a number of structural issues for thesloping outdoor spaces, includinga lack of piles to support the balconies, improperload transfers, deformed gusset plates and trusses that were not designed or manufactured for appropriate dead load specifications.

Guardrails along the balconies are bending as a result,and someowners are unable to open their balconydoors,the lawsuit says.

The condo owners say the deficiencies pose a "real and substantial danger to persons and/or to property."

The lawsuit further states theexterior veneer on the columns has come loose and fallen, creating a "serious safety risk."

The condo owners add there is a general"lack of fire separation" in the condominium complex, which was built in 2012.

CBC contacted parties named in the lawsuit and will update the story should they wish to comment.

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