Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation plans to develop this land across from the Alfred Jenkins Field House. (Council Agenda/City of Prince Albert)

By Alison Sandstrom

New Developments

PBCN to develop West Hill land into medical and commercial hub

Apr 29, 2020 | 5:53 PM

Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation (PBCN) has been given early support by Prince Albert city council for a multistage plan to develop a 14-acre parcel of land across from the Alfred Jenkins Field House. The Urban Reserve land sits on the corner of 10^th Avenue W. and 28^th Street W. near the hospital.

Phase one of PBCN’s plan will see a medical center constructed on the site. Chief Peter Beatty told paNOW although details are still being determined, the building will likely house around ten offices for doctors of various specialties, a dentist, an optometrist and a pharmacy. PBCN will lease the building to the Prince Albert Grand Council, who will operate the medical center.

“The overall aim is to provide more medical services to the general public,” Beatty said. “As well as [to] our members and other First Nation members.”

Beatty said they could potentially break ground on the project in 2021, but that may be delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A preliminary site plan shows what future development could look like. (City Council/City of Prince Albert)

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As for the rest of the land, Beatty said PBCN is discussing various ideas but leaving their options open.

“We’ve allocated close to about five acres of land right now, so there’s still nine acres that would be open for development,” he explained. “There’s a number of different things that could happen there… I can’t venture to say what else we will be putting on there, but I know that it will involve a number of different buildings.”

On Monday, Prince Albert city council voted unanimously to start the process of updating the zoning bylaw to allow the parcel to be rezoned for Commercial Mixed Use. The change will allow PBCN to establish various businesses at the location, potentially turning it into small service center for the surrounding neighborhood.

“It’s going to be great to develop this area. I think it’s long overdue,” Coun. Blake Edwards told the meeting. “I’m glad they’re bringing this forward.”

Meanwhile, Mayor Greg Dionne said PBCN’s plan fits perfectly with the city’s vision for the West Hill.

“It’s exciting and I want to thank Chief Beatty and his band for investing in our community,” he said.

At the same meeting, council awarded the $2.2 million contract for the underground infrastructure of the Marquis Road West extension. The new road will divert traffic off Sixth Avenue. W. onto 10th Avenue W. which runs beside the hospital and the new PBCN developement. Surfacing of the road is expected to be completed during summer 2021.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom