The conference room at the Canalta Hotel in Weyburn was packed full for an Open House held by Nicor Developments on April 12. Though the turn-out was quite surprising for the Regina development company's representatives, interested members of the community of Weyburn seized the opportunity to investigate the preliminary conceptual development plans for the former Souris Valley hospital grounds.
Nicor is open to suggestions from Weyburn residents regarding the new community.
"The purpose of tonight's meeting is to get your input," said Nicor's president, Ross Keith, adding that the concept plans are not set in stone. "It is a concept so that we can get your input."
Nicor is proposing a mixed-density residential development. It will include single family detached homes and multi-family homes, such as medium density townhouses as well as higher density apartment buildings. The multi-family buildings would be a mixture of rental units and condominiums.
Munir Haque, development manager for the project, presented the concept plan. He spoke to the design for the 52-acre development, which is currently being called Riverwood. He described it as having the potential to provide Weyburn with cradle-to-grave housing options. The new development will be a residential area featuring townhouses, condos, apartments and single family homes, with paths leading to Tatagwa Trail.
Haque said there is still time for changes to the plans and he welcomes feedback from Weyburn residents.
"There's a lot of flexibility built into this plan," said Haque. "We can respond to market demands."
Haque also welcomes suggestions on a Souris Valley memorial for the site, and even a name for the community itself. Residents can email Haque directly at mhaque@nicorgroup.ca. Residents can also voice their opinions and offer suggestions for street names to the City of Weyburn.
One open house attendee asked if Nicor would be addressing the issue of affordable housing in Weyburn.
"The City of Weyburn does have an affordable housing strategy in place," said Keith. "We will work as rigorously as we possibly can with that strategy to make this happen."
Keith said that there will be lots available at half the size and therefore half of the price of what some lots are selling for in Weyburn and that a number of lots could potentially include basement suites.
"A little more inventive design," is what Keith says may also be the solution to affordable housing. "We as a developer can and will access public programs to the extent that rents are fixed and made affordable."
"I guarantee we will work in every way we can to make sure that the provincial, municipal and federal initiatives are harnessed by us to the best of our ability," said Keith.
When an attendee prodded, hoping to get a general price range of the properties, Keith emphasized that, as developers, his team is still at the input-and-design stage of its process.
"We will be able to compete with the prices that are out there and hopefully give a wide variety of product," said Keith.
Another person asked if there would be any housing available for under $150,000.
Mayor Debra Button, who was also in attendance, stated that according to an independent building plan study, that was recently done for the City, $260,000 is considered an affordable home now in Weyburn, for a two-income family with little debt.
When that got quite a reaction from crowd members, Mayor Button provided some perspective.
"We're going to have to think differently," she said. "I think this is where the project is good. We need to think about the multi-family homes. It's not going to be as much of the single home anymore for an affordable entry-level home."
Keith said that though $150,000 is very low considering the housing market in Saskatchewan, he hopes to be able to offer housing starting at about $199,000.
The exclusive realtors for the Riverwood properties are Kevin Lackey and Eric Anderson at Century 21 in Weyburn.
Nicor is currently not planning for any commercial amenities within the community.
"However," said Haque, "if we are approached by an individual entrepreneur or commercial developer interested in a small business in Riverwood, we would consider any opportunities to work together with them."
According to Haque, the key amenities of the Riverwood development are its proximity the Souris River and the Tatagwa Parkway system, with integration of pathway connections, a central park and walkable streetscapes.
Haque, who is a landscape architect, also said that the trails along the Souris River still belong to the City and will remain unaffected. In fact, Tatagwa Parkway, being part of a wildlife reserve, is a benefit to Nicor's plans, as the nature in the area is central to the new development's concept.
Saskatchewan Drive would serve as the entryway to Riverwood, as it did for the Souris Valley hospital. The design includes a formal entry into the community and a central park, with landscaping themes carried throughout the neighbourhood.
"It's a wonderful site," said Ross Keith. "It has a lot of history and it's a site that we want to do justice."
