By Derek Cornet

Seniors living complex and residential care unit currently being built in La Ronge

Jul 11, 2018 | 5:00 PM

A 10-unit senior’s living complex, a residential care unit and more are currently being built along Robertson Drive in La Ronge.

“The good part is they’re filling a need and there’s isn’t anyone in town who won’t say we don’t need that particular housing,” Mayor Ron Woytowich said. “The nice part is everything being built are not cheap units. These are bigger and they’re going to look good.”

In the last several months, the Saskatchewan Housing Corporation purchased seven lots along Robertson Drive. Four of those were amalgamated for the senior’s living complex, two lots were consolidated for the care unit and the final lot is described by town officials as a side-by-side building used for a seniors unit with two bedrooms on each side. Woytowich noted most of the new properties will also likely pay taxes meaning more revenue in the town’s budget.

So far in 2018, the Town of La Ronge received 13 building permits with a value close to $4 million. Two permits for multi-family dwellings account for half the total, while much of the remainder consists of residential and commercial renovations. During the same period in 2017, the town received 14 permits with a value just over $1 million. In all of 2017, building permits were valued at $3.4 million.

“I’m sure we’re going to get notices of other stuff,” Woytowich said. “A lot of the big commercial contractors probably plan even a year ahead, so they kind of know what they were going to do and they’re just waiting for funding.”

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Woytowich also noted the increased value in building permits can be attributed to the construction occurring at the Piwapan Women’s Centre. The organization recently opened four new two-bedroom apartments and is currently undergoing renovations at the main building. With all of the work occurring, Woytowich added there’s been a slight boost this summer in employment opportunities.

The construction of the senior units and residential care home is being paid by the federal and provincial governments. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Social Services stated via email the project has not yet been officially announced, and more information will be available within the coming months.

derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno