Opposition to Emerald Park seniors’ complex continues

REGINA – Councillors representing Emerald Park continue to pave the way for a proposed seniors’ complex, despite continued criticism.

Last Tuesday, city councillors in the RM of Edenwold passed a second reading to rezone an open field to accommodate a developer’s request to build an 80-unit care home.

Last year, Global News heard from residents opposed to the development. Since then, a petition has garnered more than 300 signatures.

“Neither I, nor any of the people in this community are opposed to care homes. We’re all going to need them eventually,” said John Panter, a resident of Emerald Park and the person behind the petition. “It’s the right feature in the wrong place.”

The location of the proposed seniors’ complex is surrounded by predominantly single-family detached homes.

Area residents say concerns include increased traffic and a lack of infrastructure.

“I think a more appropriate location would be in the proposed new White City town centre. That’s where there would be a mixture of commercial, retail, residential, shopping and park benches,” said Panter. “If I was a senior in a care home, I think that’s where I’d want to be.”

Panter also said the RM seems reluctant to hear residents’ concerns.

“There was no discussion. There was no debate. It just went ahead and passed second reading (on June 9). Third reading at this point will simply be a formality.”

An administrator with the RM told Global News that a public hearing was held at the end of April and that it’s waiting for finalization of the contract agreement between the RM and the developer before scheduling a third reading.

If third reading passes, the rezoning application must receive final approval from the Ministry of Government Relations.