New housing for low-to-moderate-income citizens in downtown North Battleford was officially opened at a small ceremony Friday at 1091 - 103rd St. Mayor Ian Hamilton has welcomed the addition to downtown as a step toward revitalizing the area.
The creation of 26 rental units in a former commercial building was undertaken by Mardi Holdings Ltd. in a conversion made possible by a joint investment from the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan. Mardi Holdings is a Saskatchewan based real estate development and rental housing company.
"I know it was a long struggle and this has been a number of years in the making," Hamilton said, thanking Mardi Holdings Ltd. director Mark Hanley, who hosted the ceremony. At one point, the project had been held up for six months after a torrential rain.
Hamilton noted the now-transformed building that used to sit empty is "huge" in revitalizing and reinvigorating the downtown core. The building contains 17 one-bedroom and nine bachelor suites.
"Intensifying the number of people that live in the surrounding area is vitally important in our efforts to redefine the downtown area of North Battleford, which we feel is absolute priority in going forward and into our future as articulated in our official community plan that we're just about to adopt."
Also attending was MLA for the Battlefords Herb Cox on behalf of Social Services Minister and Minister responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation June Draude.
"It's great to see what you've done, Mark," said Cox. "I'm impressed with the work you've undertaken here. A minimum of 26 people now have a safe place to live.
The provincial and federal levels of government jointly contributed $624,000 toward the $1.5 million project. The balance of approximately $882,000 will be provided through mortgage financing.
Cox said the conversion has helped breathe new life into the building to provide homes for people who need them.
"Quality housing is a cornerstone of thriving healthy communities and this project supports that," he said.
Representing the federal government was Liane Dagenais of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, which contributed $312,000 to the project. CMHC's mandate is to support affordable housing for modest income Canadians, she said.
It shows what can be achieved with different organization and different levels of government coming together, said Dagenais.
In order to convert the commercial building to affordable housing, the exterior, structural and mechanical systems were reused and the rest of the building was completely rebuilt to meet residential code.
Hanley thanked CMHC and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation, including Debbie Mardell, who attended the ceremony. He also expressed thanks to building manager Glenda Ilett of North Battleford and his wife Didi and son David, who have been "staunchly supportive." He also had words of praise for his construction team and suppliers.
Hanley said about 75 per cent of all expenditures were made out of North Battleford and local contractors were involved at every level of the project, from framers, electricians, boarders and tapers, to painters and flooring suppliers.
"The contractors here are just as good as anywhere else, if not better," said Hanley, who has four apartment buildings in Regina in addition to the one in North Battleford.
The building environment in North Battleford was very hospitable, he said, saying City Building Inspector Jerry Wintonyk went out of his way working on the project with them.
Hanley also had thanks for the tenants, "a very nice mix of people who are living and working in North Battleford.
He also said the Prairie North Health Region's mental health services have been "super supportive" and he hopes to house many clients of that organization.
"I can't thank them enough for their excellent support," he said, welcoming Adrienne Huxley as a representative of mental health services.
Hanley also said, while the apartments are full, there are still more improvements to make. There is landscaping to do over the summer, and there is a plan to, at some point, install an elevator to serve all three levels.
