One of Estevan's newest communities, Dominion Heights, has been quickly taking shape, and the project will continue moving forward in the coming year.
Leading the project in the city's north quadrant is Trimount Developments. Phase 3A was completed last year, consisting of 37 single-family lots. In 2014, the company will focus on Phase 3B.
Mike Reinheller, Trimount's vice-president of operations, noted the next phase will see the completion of 16 duplex units, and the first four buildings (eight units) are already under construction. Reinheller said with 50 per cent under construction, 50 per cent of the duplex units are already sold.
"We intend to have all 16 done, sold and completed by the end of 2014," he said.
More prominently, Trimount is also constructing two condominiums in the area, dubbed North Point Phase 1 and 2.
"Both structures are identical to what we built at Petterson Point, so they're both 39 units, underground parking and a mix of one and two-bedroom condos," said Reinheller.
North Point Phase 1 is about 25 per cent sold. Reinheller said the construction crews are beginning framing with the developer eyeing a July completion date.
"We are going to finish it out," he said. "Regardless of sales, we've started construction on that one, and we will finish it out. Phase 2 is dependent on the sales of Phase 1."
As far as land is concerned in the Dominion Heights subdivision, Trimount is in the final stages of acquiring all the necessary property with the city.
"Everything that we're currently working on is closed upon, and we have the option to purchase another 64 acres of raw land. Right now we have submitted to the City a planned subdivision that is in council's hands and just getting approved," said Reinheller. "When that's approved, we will make the decision. Everything is based on market, but plans are in motion to close on Phase 4, which will provide another 20 single-family lots, eight duplex lots and two multi-family sites."
He said they hope to have the proposal approved and work signed by the end of the first quarter.
Reinheller noted Trimount is working closely with the development's exclusive realtor Century 21 to complete market analysis for the subdivision's future prospects.
"We've traced back the last five or so years and looked at the sales trends over the years. Typically, the first part of each year around February to summertime, are usually the hottest selling months in Estevan," said Reinheller. "I think oil has to do with that. All the big oil companies are firing, all the guys are coming and it just drives the whole economy.
"We're looking forward to a strong spring and summer. The big push for us this year is North Point and our duplexes."
Since Trimount entered the Estevan market, the developer has earned a reputation for getting things done. Reinheller attributes their success to the strong market, as well as finding a good base for trades people.
"We do our best to use local trades and suppliers as long as it works with our schedule and price point, but when we need to, we bring our trades in from out of province and some of the bigger centres in Saskatchewan," he said. "we bring them in and run them through their scope of work, and if we have the next project lined up, they jump on the next project."
He said they are also trying to operate a little ahead of the sales cycle.
"A key point in Estevan that we've seen that's different than other markets is that you have to build it before people buy it. It's more of a risky business model, but what we've seen at Petterson Point is that until that rooftop's on and people can see it and touch it and walk through it, the sales might not really take until that point."
