East View Lodge gets green light

Minister approves sale to Town of Neepawa
By Ken Waddell/The Neepawa Banner

Although it's been stalled in amongst political traffic for about 8 months, the old East View Lodge housing project in Neepawa has finally been given the green light. The five story former care home, a land mark on Neepawa's east entrance, was de-commisioned in the spring of 2009 when residents were moved to Country Meadows Care Home located at Neepawa's west end.

Throughout the planning and constructions stage of Country Meadows, a big question was always "what to do with East View"? The building had been turned over by the community to the Marquette Regional Health Authority in the mid 1990s. MRHA later amalgamated with South-West Regional Health Authority and was named Assiniboine Regional Health Authority. EVL is considered to be a solid building, just not suitable for the high level of care needs that are being met at Country Meadows. The ARHA had always intended to dispose of EVL and had wanted to do so as soon as it was empty. The monthly costs of taxes, hydro, heat and maintenance have eaten an unnecessary and unwanted hole in the ARHA budget. That disposal didn't happen as wished as the provincial government, specifically Health Minister Theresa Oswald held up the process. Although no clear reason was given for the delay, it was assumed that the government wanted to try and get some value for the old building and wanted a clear and transparent process. As it turned out the delay was costly both in terms of time, money and delaying much needed housing

The Town of Neepawa had submitted a plan in conjunction with Adler Properties, a consortium of three companies who planned to turn the building into apartments.That proposal and the accompanying agreements lapsed as the months dragged on. The government then agreed to put EVL up for tender and tenders closed late in 2009. No bids were received.

Local MLA Stu Briese, the Town of Neepawa lobbied hard to get a decision from Minister Oswald.

On Jan, 13 the word finally came down that the ARHA had been given permission to go ahead with the deal. ARHA VP of Finance Ted Bartlett said, "The board has received approval from the minister of health to dispose of East View to the Town of Neepawa for one dollar." Bartett explained that as of Jan. 14 the documents had been forwarded to the Town's solicitor for the paper work to be processed.

Town of Neepawa Mayor Bob Durston confirmed that the Town had received the go ahead. "Agreements have to be signed," said Durston which confirmed what Bartlett had said. It also means that the Town of Neepawa can now go ahead with updating the lapsed agreement with Adler properties.

Adler Properties' plan calls for renovations to begin as soon as the documents are in place. They have workers and sub-trades lined up and have blueprints ready to go that call for turning the EVL into apartment style housing.

Neepawa has a huge and chronic housing shortage in part due to 225 immigrant workers coming to Neepawa to work at Hytek-Springhill hog plant. Hytek plans to bring in several more workers to staff the expanding plant.

Historical side note: In 1999 it was announced that EVL was to be replaced. The government changed in 1999 and the project was delayed and not completed until 2009. The cost more than doubled to $29 million. Around 2000, the then CEO of the MRHA anticipated the new care home project might go ahead soon and offered to sell the EVL for a dollar. I happen to know that's true as I was mayor of Neepawa at the time and the offer was extended to me on behalf of the Town of Neepawa. I assured the CEO that the Town would look favorably on that offer. Neither of us knew how many years would pass before it came true.