City sells first three lots to local developer; medical clinic will be first phase of larger Easton Place Medical Centre
The Selkirk Business Park is off to a healthy start in 2016 with city council announcing the sale of the first three lots in Phase 1 of the park to a local development group that will build a health and wellness centre with a projected opening for the first phase in spring 2017.
Members of city council signed an agreement with Herbsman Inc., on Dec. 21 for the sale of the three lots, located across Easton Drive from the new hospital, which is currently under construction, and adjacent to Selkirk Veterinary Services. Herbsman has a multi-phase plan to build the Easton Place Medical Centre on 16.49-acres of land.
Phase 1 of the centre will feature a medical clinic that will be able to accommodate several physicians, including family doctors, visiting specialists as well as other professionals such as dentists, orthodontists, audiologists and associated services.
Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson said 2015 was a very good year for the City of Selkirk, with the completion of the removal of the MS Lord Selkirk II and the resurfacing of Main Street. And 2016 is off to a great start with the sale of the first three of 11 lots in Phase 1 of the Business Park.
“We’re really excited about the sale. When we signed the deal it was really monumental. It was a real step moving forward in this process. This is a huge project for us,” Johannson said.
“It’s a great project. We are already a commercial hub, we’re already a residential hub, we have the right type of housing here and we’re gearing toward the future…now we’re going to have a trifecta with the medical centre. That’s huge for us. To have a medical professional making a major investment in Phase 1 of our Business Park, right in the same area as all the other medical amenities, it’s just a complete win-win for the City of Selkirk.”
Neil Winther, a spokesman for Herbsman, said Selkirk was a logical choice for the health and wellness centre. The city and surrounding areas are home to more than 100,000 people and easy access to medical care is important to all of them. Winther said Phase 1 of the medical centre, which will be up to 50,000 sq. ft., depending on tenants, will provide clients quality medical services close to home.
“The medical clinic will be a state-of-the-art facility that will attract a variety of medical professionals,” Winther said.
Phase 2 of Easton Place will feature a wellness centre and construction will begin following the opening of Phase 1. Amenities in the wellness centre will be determined through a public consultation process.
Winther said the wellness centre will be a not-for-profit legacy centre that will benefit the people of Selkirk and he’s looking forward to the community’s input into building what will become a top-notch facility.
Priority 1 in Selkirk’s strategic plan calls for a vibrant, safe and healthy community and the engagement of the community in shaping our future. Selkirk CAO Duane Nicol said the establishment of a health and wellness centre is on target on both points.
“This project is lock-step with our strategic vision for the city. Selkirk is a regional service hub and with this project, as well as our new hospital, we continue to expand the medical services we offer to our region,” Nicol said.
“We are excited to see another major private sector investment into our community. This project brings new economic growth and jobs to our region and it expands our tax base. Our Sustainable Economic Development team has worked hard to make our new business park a success, and this major announcement is an indicator that our plan is working. A diverse and thriving local economy is a key area of focus for the city and is fundamental to building a sustainable community.”
Future phases of the centre will include health-related retail businesses and restaurants. Winther said it is anticipated the medical clinic and other phases of the development will support the wellness centre, helping to keep it affordable for those who use it.
For more information contact:
Neil Winther
Herbsman Inc.
204-795-1421
