Work has begun on the land in the southeast corner of the city. (Screengrab/Signature Developments Co.)

By Alison Sandstrom

Bold Vision

Developers highlight vision for P.A.’s future entertainment district

Nov 6, 2020 | 7:00 AM

The developers who sold the City of Prince Albert land for its new recreation and aquatic complex, are highlighting their large-scale vision for the entertainment district they plan to build around the facility, while saying taxpayers got a fair price on the land deal.

Signature Developments Corporation has released a promotional video for the project.

In June, the City of Prince Albert approved the purchase of 18-acres of land from a larger 80-acre parcel owned by Signature Developments Co. As part of the deal, the company is responsible for servicing the land and preparing it for construction. On the 18-acres it now owns, the City will build a $60 million recreation complex with 2 arenas and an aquatic centre. Architects hired by the city are currently working on designs for the facility. A larger arena, a branch library and a daycare are included in the city’s future plans for the complex, but are not funded yet. Meanwhile on the 62 acres it still owns, Signature Developments Co. intends to develop an entertainment district with restaurants, hotels, shopping and an urban campground.

Rusty Clunie, one of the owners of Signature Developments Co., told paNOW the massive project (which will be completed over multiple phases) will create hundreds of jobs and draw people to Prince Albert, particularly working professionals.

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“By attracting people, we’ll be able to find the people needed to work in our [expanded] hospital and other industries I feel that are going to be coming to P.A.,” he said.

That increased population will also drive growth in other areas of the city, including the downtown, Clunie said.

“We see the entertainment district just as a starting point,” he explained.

“I think you’ll naturally see, with more people in the community and excitement for investment, you’ll see your downtown core grow to a Arts and Culture type district with our university down there and the E.A. Rawlinson and museums,” he said, adding he also envisioned a health hub developing around the expanded hospital.

A screengrab shows what the new recreation complex could potentially look like. Architects contracted by the city are currently working on designs. (Screengrab/Signature Developments Co.)

Asked what he made of the political controversy swirling in recent weeks about the land deal, Clunie said he and his associates like to take the high road and stay out of local politics.

“We’ve worked and had businesses in this community for 45, 46 years and worked through many councils and many mayors,” he said. “And the reality is we tend to not get into the local politics because we’ve got to work with anyone and everyone who is found to be in those positions.”

Some have questioned the $6.5 million the City paid for the 18-acres, and when asked if taxpayers got a good deal, Clunie said they most certainly did.

“We are providing the city with fully developed, ready land to be constructed on, as a developer that takes a lot to do that sort of thing,” he said, adding that the location of the recreation centre allows for further tax revenue to be created from surrounding businesses in the entertainment district.

“I think if you even take a common house lot in Prince Albert and do the math per acre, it more than justifies and substantiates that the price that has been paid for the land is more than fair,” he said.

Come Monday night following the municipal election, the politicking about the city’s acquisition of the land for this ambitious recreation venue may subside, but regardless, Clunie wants to highlight the significant economic and community spin-offs the project will bring to the city.

“I just hope the citizens of P.A. embrace the project and realize that investment in yourselves is always great for growth and the betterment of the whole community.”

With files from Glenn Hicks

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom