An expansion to the Prince of Peace Manor near Chestermere is in the works after Rocky View County (RVC) council approved a Master Site Development Plan (MSDP) for the area on Dec. 9. The development will see the existing facility expanded with a larger dementia-care wing, supplemental housing and retail opportunities.
“We want to keep it similar to what’s already there,” said Architect Alvin Fritz. “We like the village concept, and we want it to stay that way. We want to maintain the pathways as well, because if you get out into the outdoors, your health can actually improve rather than regress. This is a big part of what we want to achieve and accomplish.”
The proposed MSDP builds on the idea of a village, centered on a small chapel. Fritz said he hopes to see shops along what he calls a “main street” with a hair salon, pizza place and possibly offices for a chiropractor or podiatrist. The plan calls for these to be located in an outdoor space, which is a priority for Fritz.
“We will also feature something I call supplemental living,” Fritz said. “For people who have a family member living in dementia-care, it’s nice to have the ability to have a spouse or child to live nearby. We’ve found that to be really successful with previous projects.”
Deputy Reeve Lois Habberfield said she appreciated the expansion to the dementia-care facility, and said there were “a lot of positives” to the development. However, she raised a concern with the planned six-story building to provide assisted care housing for seniors.
“This is a great location for seniors, but having them ride up and down elevators I think isn’t the best vision,” she said. “We need to realize in (RVC) we don’t have fire stations right next door. In fact, in this area we are relying on Chestermere, which is a fair distance away, and you need different equipment to access six-story buildings.”
According to RVC administration, approval of the MSDP doesn’t necessarily mean approval of the entire architectural vision – only design themes and “general issues.” Any technical details will be dealt with as development moves forward, Fritz said,.
Councillor Al Sacuta’s main issue was the land’s water drainage. According to Sacuta, the wetland tables of the area show a steadily increasing amount of surface water, and the current MSDP calls for five of those wetlands to be filled in.
“Considering the increase in water levels over time, when you start to fill those wetlands in, where does all that water go?” he asked. “It appears to me that there will be an extra 30- to 60-million litres of water per year you can’t get rid of.”
According to the MSDP, the water will be managed within the pond located on the site. Fritz and his team of engineers plan to build on the current system of irrigation to manage pond levels. Any additional water will be pumped to adjacent lands, with the permission of landowners.
Earl Solberg motioned to accept the proposed MSDP, which was unanimously approved.
