(Submitted photo/Tammy Pshebylo)

By Angie Rolheiser

Oasis Village

Change of location for Oasis Village at Manitou Beach

Nov 3, 2020 | 11:00 AM

Planning continues for a multi million-dollar facility at Manitou Beach including a new location at the popular Saskatchewan resort village.

The retirement living and health centre project was originally set to be constructed next to the Manitou Springs Hotel but will now be located on the hillside south of the Manitou Reflections art piece.

Oasis Village project Founder Michael Byrne told northeastNOW phase one of the facility would include 50 units of independent living and 15 units of supportive living.

“By 2023, the projections are that this area would support a phase two which means an additional 40 to 50 units,” Byrne said.

The other part of our complex is a clinic with the combination of naturopathic and allopathic offerings where people can come for a health retreat. The idea for the health retreat would tie in with the healing benefits of the water in Manitou Lake which attract visitors from all areas of the province.

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According to Byrne, preliminary drawings were made at the the originally allocated site for the Oasis Village but the Water Security Agency (WSA) for Saskatchewan was looking at adjusting the estimated floodplain water levels at Manitou Lake.

The WSA report indicated that they would re-adjust levels by 11 metres which would have put the property at a floodplain making it impossible to finance or insure.

“From there we quickly identified the new location and then decided to proceed with that one, purchased the land and are moving ahead,” Byrne said.

The project became new again with the extra land equaling over four acres that also has a panoramic view of the lake.

“Our property goes from the top of the hill right down to the waters edge and that gives architects and designers more latitude,” Byrne said.

The team designing the complex includes the former CEO of Luther Care and the Vice President of Business Development.

“Our model is upscale living accommodations similar to what you would find in urban areas like Regina and Saskatoon and I would imagine Swift Current, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert,” Byrne said.

Soil testing, surveying, and architect work on preliminary drawings is underway.

The experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic have proven the need for a senior’s complex such as this, Byrne said.

“There have been a number of issues and challenges that have evolved in the seniors housing industry,” Byrne said. “We are able to implement certain functions and design in our facility to meet those challenges.”

The Oasis Village is believed to be a very unique facility that will rival anything that is available in rural Saskatchewan.

A recent town hall meeting was held at Manitou Beach to update residents on where the project is at and what has changed. Byrne said the project continues to have an abundance of interest in the area and beyond.

The hope is to have construction begin in the fall or fourth quarter of 2021.

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angie.rolheiser@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @Angie_Rolheiser