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Ponoka seniors condo project delayed but going forward

Project undergoing redesign to possibly add a few more units
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Jim Hamilton looks over the preliminary design with residents who came out to the public meeting on March 12, 2021. (File photo)

The sale of the one acre lot south of the Ponoka Drop-in Centre is all but a done deal and the developers are going ahead with their plans for a four-storey seniors condo building.

While they’ve had some setbacks with their preliminary design for the building, developers Jim Hamilton (owner of Hamilton’s IGA) and Grant Jorgenson (owner and general manager of Calanah Builders Ltd.) are moving forward with the project.

“We’re still excited to go forward,” said Hamilton, adding they’ve had interest about the project from potential buyers.

“We believe there is a demand,” he said.

Jorgenson says the project was stalled for awhile due to COVID-19, and now with the soaring lumber prices and the current market, they’ve had to take a second look at their design. They are looking to possibly add a few more units to make the building more feasible.

Originally set at 16 units, the redesign may include up to 20, though the size of the building or sight lines will not change from the original design, they say.

The partners are still hoping to bring the design to market by September or October. When the design is ready, they will hold some open houses, showing prospective buyers floor plans, building design and pricing.

The developers will need to pre-sell 30 per cent of the units before they can begin construction.

The land, described as Block 1, Plan 862 1472, located at 5015 46 Ave., was previously declared as surplus land in accordance with the town’s Land Disposition Policy.

P0noka town council voted to move ahead with the sale after a public hearing on March 23, 2021. A motion was passed to sell the land for $100,000, with the developers covering the cost of moving the town’s WWI cenotaph.

According to the town, the offer to purchase the one-acre parcel of land was conditionally accepted by council subject to completion of a Sale and Construction Agreement. However, that agreement has not yet been finalized so the sale is not complete at this time.

The town received several letters in March from residents speaking against the development and a couple of affected residents canvassed their neighbours in opposition to the project.

READ MORE: Ponoka seniors oppose proposed four-storey condo in green space

The town had stated if a sufficient petition was received by the May 18, 2021 deadline, then the town would rescind the motion to sell the land. However, no petitions were received.

Hamilton says the pair still feel the lot is the right location for the development.

“From day one we took into consideration the concerns of the neighbours.”

READ MORE: Town going ahead with sale of lot south of cenotaph



Emily Jaycox

About the Author: Emily Jaycox

I’m Emily Jaycox, the editor of Ponoka News and the Bashaw Star. I’ve lived in Ponoka since 2015 and have over seven years of experience working as a journalist in central Alberta communities.
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