The Town of Rouleau used sparkling champagne and doughnuts from Tim Hortons to celebrate the kickoff of a new 21-lot subdivision construction project.
Officials from the town and contractor Alair Homes in Moose Jaw gathered in the new East Gate Landing subdivision on July 9 for a ceremony that saw shovels help break ground for the construction of a show home, which will help highlight the community to prospective buyers and residents.
Mayor Grant Clarke said it is great for the community, especially since every town dreams of having 21 new lots serviced and a newly paved street nearby. Furthermore, each lot costs $50,000, which is reasonable and not something buyers can find just anywhere.
GB Construction developed the new subdivision.
Clarke had the idea to create a new subdivision after he became mayor nine years ago. Meanwhile, it was two years ago when he and town council started working to develop East Gate Landing, which the town finished servicing a few months ago. Two lots have already sold, while the town office is receiving regular inquiries about the remaining ones.
People should consider moving to Rouleau — population 550, and also known as Dog River on TV's Corner Gas — since it is close to Moose Jaw and Regina and is a 30-minute commute in either direction, he continued. The community also has a kindergarten-to-Grade 12 school, is a natural sports town, has suitable baseball and hockey venues, and a new spray park.
The new subdivision could attract 21 new families to Rouleau, which is exciting since it could keep the school full and active, Clarke said, noting that growth is important for small towns.
“It’s a huge project for a small town. It really is,” he added.
Alair Homes in Moose Jaw will build the show home — its first new build after forming in June 2019 — and will be the preferred builder for the other homes in the subdivision, said project manager Mike Armstrong. The Moose Jaw business — its parent company is multinational — is also constructing a new home in Iron Bridge now and another one in November, along with one in Chamberlain next spring.
“It’s a big day for us … ,” he said. “We’re very excited to get this build going.”
The company performed plenty of work behind the scenes during the past six months, Armstrong continued. This new development will keep Rouleau “rolling” and help motivate residents and prospective buyers. It could also attract new services and stores to the community.
“It could become that commuter town for Regina and Moose Jaw, like White City,” he added. “This is just the beginning. A lot of development is coming. It will be nothing but beneficial.”
Alair is excited about this project and excited to work with Clarke and the town, said company owner/partner Darius Wilson. The town offers several amenities for families, along with space and fresh air.
“We’re pretty pumped,” he added. “We’re looking forward to building some forever homes out here.”
New water treatment plant
Besides the new subdivision, the town is also constructing a new $10.6-million regional reverse osmosis water treatment plant that will support the community, Wilcox, and two rural municipalities; it should be finished by June 2022.
Right now, there is a hole in the ground, with construction crews pouring concrete and installing rebar as they build water storage pens.
“We’re trying to improve the quality of water. We’re sitting on a huge aquifer of water (so) a new reverse osmosis plant will improve the quality of water,” said Clarke. “It’ll coincide really well with the residential development. It’ll be great.”
