Tia Watt wants to redevelop an area of town that has been neglected for many years. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

more housing

Major redevelopment of La Ronge Mobile Home Park in the works

Apr 27, 2022 | 5:26 PM

La Ronge resident Tia Watt has big plans to revitalize a large section of land in the municipality.

In December 2021, Watt purchased the La Ronge Mobile Home Park along Bedford Drive through Mid City, a company she co-owns with her husband, Jonathan Watt. Since then, a clean up of the area has begun, including the removal of four trailer homes that had been abandoned.

Phase 1 also includes the relocation of some mobile homes to different lots.

“My hope is to attempt a transformation of the park,” Watt said, noting she’s also been working with current tenants to repair their homes and upgrade existing utility services.

Watt attended a regular town council meeting on Thursday and informed leadership of her plans. She requested council to make a zoning bylaw amendment in order for her to move ahead with Phase 2. That phase includes the redevelopment of lots 32-51 and some of the lots will include modular or hybrid homes that will be rented out or sold.

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The bylaw amendment, which council directed administration to move forward with, would allow for the placement of such homes instead of restricting them to only mobile homes. Modular or hybrid homes are structurally similar to mobile homes and are placed on the same foundation but are built to higher standards. Watt would like to see these kinds of homes arrive at the park as soon as possible.

“There is no secret that there is a shortage for housing in our municipality,” she said. “As soon as the snow is gone, we can get out there to check the existing services. We’ve been working with different contractors and developers to get everything aligned to get those homes on site.”

The La Ronge Mobile Home Park has 90 lots and, currently, 17 tenants. Watt mentioned the new hybrid homes are Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation approved for first time homebuyers, affordable and a good option for seniors looking to downsize.

Watt also has plans for a third phase, which would include the redevelopment of the park where the loop is located. Throughout the years, much of the park had fallen into disrepair.

“I’m born and raised in La Ronge. La Ronge is my home and always will be,” she said. “If I can help in some way to help revitalize our town and get rid of some of these areas that were kind of shunned upon, I will do anything in my effort to help with that.”

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno