The former Northland Pioneer Lodge building on Third Street West. (file photo/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

City council

Old Northland Pioneer Lodge building to become seniors’ apartment building

Jan 15, 2024 | 3:38 PM

The former Northland Pioneer Lodge building in Meadow Lake will now be renovated and turned into an independent living apartment building for people aged 55 and older.

Located at 515 Third Street West, the building was originally constructed in 1955, with additions made in the 1960s and 1980s.

City council approved the sale of the building to Meadow Lake Properties Ltd. at its recent meeting for a token fee of $1, the same amount the city previously paid to purchase the site from the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA).

Mayor Merlin Seymour said the city signed off on the sale of the building to Meadow Lake Properties, with the turnover date set for around Jan. 31.

“They are proposing 27 units within this building, with some recreation inside it, as well as a generic kitchen area, and each suite will have their own cooking capabilities,” he said.

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Meadow Lake Properties will receive a five-year tax abatement on the property for 2024 through 2028, and will not pay any city-related fees associated with the redevelopment. City administration noted when the property was formerly used as a long-term care facility, the city did not receive property taxes for it in the past. The tax revenue being foregone is similar to that offered through the city’s current tax abatement policies, but for a five-year term instead of three years.

Seymour is pleased to see the building will be re-developed.

“Absolutely, we’re happy with it – on two points: We do not have to demolish the building at a cost to the taxpayers, and it’s being repurposed to make into living accommodations for 55-plus people,” he said. “There is always a need for more housing. Country-wide housing is a concern, so if we can help it along by approving something like this to get some more units in an existing building, all the best for everyone.”

When the new lodge was being built, a portion of the contract with the health authority was for the city to take over the old building.

“As council is aware, the cost to maintaining the facility is a large financial undertaking for the city. The sooner the transfer of responsibility takes place, the better,” City Manager Diana Burton said in her report.

Seymour noted the projected cost to demolish the site, if that was to be considered, was about $770,000, which would then be put on the city’s payables.

Fortunately, the city was able to find a party interested in finding a new purpose for the site to save the building, and a cost to the city.

“The type of development being proposed by Meadow Lake Properties aligns with council’s intent, and is posed to provide a valuable housing option to the community,” Burton said.

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Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @meadowlakenow