This vacant parcel of land used as a snow dump in the winter could be the site on a new apartment complex development in La Ronge. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

housing needs

Council strikes potential deal on 30-unit apartment development

Sep 13, 2023 | 4:13 PM

La Ronge council has voted to move ahead with a deal with a land developer that could result in a 30-unit apartment complex being built in the coming years.

If successful, the deal would see Harvest Asset Management Inc. purchase the lot, located along Bedford Drive, for $1,000, as well as receive a four-year tax abatement at closing. Also upon closing, the company would need to complete the project within two years or be faced with a $25,000 penalty.

The apartment complex development would include a mix of one and two-bedroom units.

“This one company had approached us and, after some back and forth, we looked at a number of options,” La Ronge chief administrative officer Lyle Hannan said. “This particular parcel seemed to be easiest for them to deal with and they were the most interested in.”

One of council’s key priorities is housing development due to an existing shortage, along with a surge in staff that will be hired upon completion of an 80-bed long-term care facility in late 2026 or early 2027. According to the Office of the Provincial Auditor, 137 additional staff will be needed.

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With assistance from the Housing Accelerator Fund, council is hoping to see more than 150 new residential units come online over the next three to five years. As part of that effort, administration has been investigating land servicing costs and options, as well as connecting prospective developers with potential parcels of land.

There wasn’t much debate by council on the topic, with the exception of Coun. Matthew Klassen who inquired if the land had been subdivided yet by the provincial government, and if would be approved by them considering the local wastewater treatment facility is at or nearing capacity.

“I can’t speak for the province, but the sale would be subject to that,” Hannan said. “I know our engineer on staff has looked at it and I’m under the understanding that there is capacity, but it’s definitely something that will be looked at during the process.”

Hannan mentioned there is no official appraised value on the land, but it would be in the tens of thousands of dollars. Administration notes tax revenue earned on the development would be $40,000 or more annually.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com