Steinbach Bible College move approved

Steinbach council has ordained the zoning for 333 Loewen Boulevard be changed so that Steinbach Bible College (SBC) can go ahead with its planned move from Highway 12.

The change from commercial C4 to educational/institutional passed second reading and will be voted on a final time once there is a development agreement with more of the finer details. But council heard plenty of what SBC plans to do with the former Steinbach Family Medical Center property, with SBC board member Abe Bergen describing the designs handed in to the City.

“An administrative wing to the east; a dining room and cafeteria courtyard in the northeast corner; and then some classrooms, a lecture theatre, chapel and library,” described Bergen during Tuesday’s council meeting.

The building has been vacant for almost 10 years. There was a plan to tear it down and build a high-rise. Other proposed plans for the property have not gone through.

“We are confident that the integrity of the building is worth building on,” said Bergen.

SBC president Dave Reimer told council the hope is to have students and teachers on Loewen by September 2026.

Mayor and council were pleased to see the building finally being used.

“This building’s had a lot of history. It’s come before us many times council, for different ideas and different proposals. And that’s just the ones that came publicly. The ones where we’ve had coffee on or shared a burger over, there were many more of those ideas for this building. And it’s so great to see this building being used, and the purposed it’s being used for,” said Mayor Earl Funk.

“It’s a long journey. It’s a big build, but you’re going to definitely bring value to the area, to increase the value to our city, and we’re just really looking forward to you and praying for God’s guidance that this will be blessing for our community for many, many years to come.”

Coun. Jac Siemens lives in the area and said he has spoken to neighbours.

“Loewen Boulevard has educational institutions, it has churches, it has a variety of different things and this just adds to that. It’s on a major road so that fits. They have enough parking, ample parking for what their needs are,” said Siemens.

“I heard no complaints from anybody with what the proposal is; and after the signs went up and they heard they bought it, I’ve heard nothing negative at all. I think they will be good neighbours.”

The move is necessary with the growth of Steinbach Christian School (SCS), which bought SBC’s share of the Highway 12 property the schools have shared for 75 years. the K-12 school has added classrooms and plans on adding more with 441 students now attending.

Reimer hinted at divine intervention working with the generosity of people in making 333 Loewen Boulevard available.

“Our default position right off the hop was to build a new campus building right off the back of our current property close to where out dorms are. Though SBC has for many years tested the viability of moving elsewhere in Steinbach, but elsewhere doesn’t exist on the map — we looked for it.

“So early this year, the former Steinbach Family Medical building became available to us through an owner who wanted the mission of Christ to happen in that building, and a generous donor. And so suddenly there was an elsewhere for us. The possibility of moving suddenly became real. The Loewen campus quickly and steadily became our preferred option.

“And so we have marveled at the Lord’s provision in this. We think the location is marvelous,” said Reimer.

He added that this location will give the college a distinct identity and has many advantages.

“It moves us out of an industrial area with complicated access on the wrong side of the freeway into the heart of Steinbach with access to housing around,” said Reimer.

“It puts us right on the beautiful walking path into Steinbach’s beautiful greenspace and parks. It puts us closer to the churches we serve and some of the spaces we can use. It puts us closer to RRC Polytech where we have program partnerships. It puts us close to a number of the student service learning opportunities like Steinbach Community Outreach, Bridgepark (Manor), Bethesda Place and the hospital, and it’s near the Southeast Event Centre as well.”

Council voted to approve rezoning pending the development agreement unanimously with Council. Michael Zwaagstra recusing himself for a conflict of interest. He is vice chair of SBC’s board.

Places to stay

Reimer told council the neighbourhood has reacted positively, with some even offering to rent their basements or sell their homes to students and staff who need a place to stay. There are some student dorms planned, but off-campus housing will be needed.

Council discussed the housing situation immediately after the vote. There were $6.9 million in building permits given out by the City in September. That puts this year’s total at just over $60 million, including $40.4 million in residential.

This month added 10 multi-family units and eight single-family or two-family units. That makes for 102 multi-family and 72 single or two-family units for the year so far.

“The best way to counter inflation and cost of living is to balance supply and demand, and there’s plenty of demand and this is helping to increase the supply as well. I hope they keep on going so we can help our residents on the costs as much as possible,” said Coun. Damian Penner at the meeting.