McLennan News Housing development projects gain momentum in McLennan Kevin Laliberte: Express Staff. July 19, 2006 The floodgates have opened up in McLennan in relation to future anticipated commercial and residential development within the small rural community of 800. And the tsunami-like wave of excitement is generating much in the way of public attention, thanks to two companies which are itching to get the construction ball rolling as soon as possible. "We're really excited about the opportunities that exist in the community for future growth," says Rick Windjack, marketing advisor with NewGen Building Systems Inc. "The town has a tremendous amount of potential and appeal to us as a developer." The Kamloops-based company was given formal approval by the town late last month as the primary developer for two pieces of municipal property, including a portion of the land situated beside Northern Lakes College's Smoky River campus and Block 34 near the McLennan RCMP detachment. The company has also been granted access to utilize the municipal curling rink as a fabrication plant as part of a two-year lease agreement. Windjack says the focus as this stage of the development process is coming up with a workable blueprint that's a good fit with the town's overall vision for future growth. "We'll be working closely with the town in the coming weeks to determine the best use of this land in terms of residential (and possibly commercial) strategies within the community," Windjack says. "It's just a matter of getting our engineers and architects directly involved by formulating a plan that best meets the requirements of the town." McLennan Chief Administrative Officer Tammy Chavis acknowledges the plan will need to closely mirror basis guidelines established through the municipal area redevelopment plan, completed by Mackenzie Municipal Services Agency earlier this year. That plan outlines key strategies to develop an estimated 2.2 Hectares of town-owned land in the municipality over the next several years. That includes the land at NLC, proposed to be subdivided into 20 single-family dwelling residential lots with a large open green area. NewGen's development proposal will involve the town and PRO (Peace River Oil) Upgrading Inc. working together in a partnership to stimulate economic growth within the community inconjunction with the proposed $l.l-billion heavy oil upgrader facility at Kathleen. PRO Upgrading Inc. brass has made it perfectly clear that they plan to use McLennan as a central hub for the project. "I've spoken with Don Allan (co-founder and vice-president of business development and engineering for PRO Upgrading Inc.) directly and he remains extremely supportive of this proposal," Windjack emphasizes. PRO Upgrading's role in the process is to direct more than 400 people to the McLennan area in the first year of construction at the proposed upgrader facility. That number is expected to triple to 1,200 by the second year. Also jumping on the residential development bandwagon is Integrated Life Care Inc., the company responsible for the construction of the estimated $7 million dollar seniors designated assisted living facility situated along the lakeshore at Kimlwan Lake. Chavis has confirmed the sale of 12 residential lots on MacMillan Ave. to Integrated Life Care, which intends to develop the property for staff housing accommodations. The town, meanwhile, has set up a meeting with the McLennan Local Recreation Board for Aug. 1 to discuss the future of the aging local curling rink and the impact its temporary void will have on the curling community. That discussion is expected to revolve around NewGen's keen interest to construct a modern curling rink or multi-purpose recreational facility in town at some point down the road in addition to possible alternatives for curlers in the interim (ie., curling in Falher or Girouxville). The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the town conference centre. DENCO Investment Group announces McLennan housing plans By Kevin Laliberte. July 19,2006 Northern Lakes Area Redevelopment Plan. Feb/2006 Email:   twnmcl@serbernet.com