Wheat City Golf Course project nears development deal

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/07/2018 (2632 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It has been a slow but steady process for Horizon Builders as the local construction company works to bring Riverside Lifestyle Estates to fruition.

The ambitious plan for Wheat City Golf Course includes 68 condo units in two buildings, as well as commercial and recreational development.

“This has been a long design/discussion process to get to this point. We are hoping it can move forward quickly … to help minimize winter construction costs and have the new recreation facility up and running as soon as possible,” said Kelvin Orr, general manager of Horizon Builders, at a Brandon City Council meeting earlier this week.

“This is a very challenging site to develop and it will take a team effort … to see this through to completion.”

Council gave second reading to a bylaw to rezone the property at 3500 McDonald Ave. from parks and recreation to commercial general. The application came forward from Horizon Builders on behalf of the owner, Skyline Developments, a separate development company affiliated with Horizon.

Rezoning is required to allow for residential buildings, a commercial building and a renovated clubhouse that will include a restaurant, lounge and expanded ice rink.

Prior to the bylaw being given third reading, a development agreement must be signed by the applicant and the city, which includes a number of conditions.

Ryan Nickel, the city’s chief planner, explained that one of the main conditions is that the city agrees to complete construction of the 34th Street extension from Pacific Avenue to McDonald Avenue by Dec. 31, 2019, subject to council approval of the budget.

“It needs to go through, not only to service the development but service the area,” Nickel said. “McDonald Avenue is the longest dead end cul-de-sac in the city, and there’s requirements that when you get beyond a certain length, you need secondary access into an area for fire safety purposes.”

Another condition is for additional parking to be provided by the city as well as the developer.

“The plan is to have the agreement signed and to council for approval on Aug. 13,” Nickel said, adding council could also approve the subdivision application at that point. “Once the subdivision gets approved by the district board, its just getting it registered and having the land transferred to the developer.”

Orr said the hope is that once they receive conditional approval, they can start excavation to prepare the site.

“Start building a road and those sorts of things in September is what we’re hoping,” he said. “Then we make a decision, is it cost-effective moving forward this fall, or do wait and go in the spring?”

Horizon Builders has been working diligently on its development plan since they agreed to purchase the Brandon Recreation Centre and a surrounding three-acre parcel from the city in October 2016 at a cost of $860,000. Proceeds of the sale paid for flood protection work — raising and fortifying the dike to protect the golf course from future flooding.

At this week’s council meeting, Mayor Rick Chrest called it an “extremely exciting project” for the city.

“We have been able to build a dike that is more properly protecting the golf course,” he said, and in the end create 68 condos and commercial space, while also bringing the rink and restaurant back to life. He also noted the development will contribute a great deal to the tax base moving forward.

The developer anticipates an 18-month build for the first complex, which is a 44-suite building. Condos will range from 950 square feet to 1,850 square feet. Plans include a rooftop patio and heated underground parking. The second condo building will include 24 suites. As for the commercial construction, dates are still up in the air.

Orr said sales have been very positive on the condo side, and the residential component is the high priority. Visit riversidelifestyleestates.ca for more information on the development plans.

“The partnership we have with the city … is very unique and an important one. Not only are we bringing a totally different lifestyle community to attract people to Brandon, but it will also bring much-needed recreation space and enhance the golf course for the City of Brandon.”

Orr noted that the development will also create job opportunities, through the construction process as well as with new arena, restaurant, commercial spaces and golf course.

Rod Lindenberg, project manager and president of Horizon Builders Ltd. previously told the Sun that the vision for the property is to create a year-round destination, offering a lifestyle for the active person. During the summer months, residents can enjoy the golf course, the walking/hiking trails and the tennis courts. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and tobogganing are a few of the winter activities available.

» jaustin@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @jillianaustin