The city is working with the Grande Spirit foundation to help them build a new facility. Council is continuing to work on the plan for the Smith Subdivision and have decided to commit some of the land to a three storey development that is expected to have between 90 and 120 units.
Councillor Dylan Bressey told council Monday this will just allow the foundation to move the plan forward.
“Part of the discussion is nothing is really [committing us] to the project at this point. What’s really going on is they want to start building a business case. They want to start going after funding. And they need a promise that we’re going to give them some land to do that.”
The foundation describes itself as being “committed to providing senior citizens, low income families and individuals with appropriate and efficient housing and support services.” They offer housing around the Peace Region including Sexsmith, Spirit River and Grande Prairie.
The Smith design is expected to be similar to their Wildrose Manor and new Clairmont facility but has not been finalized. It would have onsite parking, walkways and potential commercial space as well. Bressey also told council the commitment is broad intentionally to allow for some flexibility.
“We’d likely be able to move their business case and their funding to another place. So, right now it’s not so much specifically here’s where you’re going to be. It’s saying we’ll give you something if you get some funding. So then funders can have comfort.”
Council unanimously supported committing about 5 acres of land in the Smith Subdivision to the Grande Spirit Foundation. The group is expected to seek both provincial and federal funding for the new development.