‘Long-term commitment’: new commercial, residential projects announced for Stonewall

A pair of major commercial and residential developments are slated to begin construction in Stonewall in a few weeks.

Whiteland Real Estate announced plans Thursday to develop about 50 acres of land on the eastern border of the bedroom community, located about 20 kilometres north of Winnipeg in the Interlake region.

Whiteland has dubbed the project the Quarry District, and is expected to break ground on 15 acres near Highway 67 in the spring. Phase 1 of the project will cost $40 million and will include the construction of a 44,000-square-foot commercial space, company president Singh Sidhu said in a news release.

Red River Co-op is a partner in the project and intends to build a 26,500-sq.-ft. grocery store at a cost of $17.5 million, the release said.

“The Quarry District is Whiteland’s long-term commitment to Stonewall,” Sidhu said, promising the investment will create “vibrant, connected spaces where people can live, shop and gather close to home.”

Whiteland said 31.5 acres of land will be sold to the Town of Stonewall for future municipal use. The remaining property is reserved for a residential development, where Whiteland will build up to 500 mixed-use housing units.

Infrastructure servicing — including sewage, water and drainage — will be provided through a cost-sharing agreement with the town. That infrastructure will extend to nearby lands reserved for a future aging-in-place campus intended to provide housing and care options for seniors.

The development will also include an overhaul of Stonewall’s regional trail system.

“Planning and regulatory approvals, including rezoning and subdivision applications, are underway or scheduled as part of the development process,” the release said.

Stonewall Mayor Sandra Smith called the project a “transformative investment in the future of our town.”

“This is an absolute win-win that will benefit Stonewall for generations,” she added.

In a separate release, Steel Creek Developers announced plans to build a new hotel under the Blue Crescent brand with more than 30 rooms, an indoor swimming pool and waterslide, meeting room and gym.

The hotel will also be located near Hwy. 67. Construction is expected to begin in the summer, and be completed in about a year.

The hotel would be the first of its kind in Stonewall, which currently only has a handful of rooms available at the Rockwood Motor Inn and Motel.

tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca