New development proposed for Town of Niverville

A proposed new development got one step closer to realization after the Niverville council voted to approve a variance to the proposed build.

Mayor and council gave the greenlight to allow the builder to build residential lots in a commercial corridor, which allows for high density mixed use.

The seven building complex contains one six-storey 32-unit apartment complex and six lots with commercial space on the main floor with two floors of residential housing units above. Each of the six buildings will contain between 52 and 54 units. There will also be a fast-food restaurant, a car wash and gas station.

The developer mentioned a daycare might be possible, but that is something that needs to be investigated more.

“It gives a greater spectrum of housing options. It adds commercial businesses to the community. It provides more jobs for people in the community,” said Mayor Myron Dyck.

The complex will be located between Krahn Road and Mulberry Avenue across Highway 311 from the Tim Hortons and Shell Gas Station. Dyck estimates it will take about five years for the build to be completed as it will be done in phases.

“So, now the developer will do their final drawings bring it back to the town showing what they’re proposing. And then the town will go through its administrative review and enter into a development agreement with that developer,” said Dyck.

The town can handle this type of high-density development, according to Dyck. Currently, the town sits at about 6,500 people but it’s infrastructure can handle closer to 20,000 people with its water treatment plant and proposed $190 million wastewater treatment plant. A new RCMP station will open in the next few weeks and a new fire hall is expected to be built in 2027.

“In terms of services and emergency services and infrastructure, we can handle it,” said Dyck.

For those who are concerned about losing the small town feel of Niverville, Dyck said that feeling is based on culture and not population size.

“There is small town feel in neighbourhoods in Winnipeg, Brandon, Portage, Dauphin, Thompson, Steinbach, Winkler, Niverville – everywhere….It’s neighbour looking after neighbour. Niverville will lose its small town feel when we stop caring about one another.”

Niverville is the fifth fastest growing community in the country, according to a study done by the town.