The proposed creation of an expansive new residential subdivision in the former Dymond Township area is the perfect sign of Temiskaming Shores’ slow but steady growth, local officials say.
The tentative proposal outlines the development of 460 lots across 93 hectares, and would consist of detached dwellings, townhouses, and various low-to mid-range homes.
Local construction firm Pederson Construction Inc. put forth the proposal to town council in mid-June through its planning consultant, the Ottawa-based David McManus Engineering Ltd.
The land where the properties would be built is currently owned by Pederson Construction.
“This is certainly going to complement the city’s vision of sustainable expansion,” says City of Temiskaming Shores Mayor Judy Pace.
“It identifies a gap we’ve seen and moves forward to address it, so that’s definitely a positive step.”
The proponent, Karl Pederson, declined to comment on the project, saying it was in too preliminary a stage to discuss projected timelines or costs.
In the meantime, he’s offered some of his design documents to the city as part of a partnership in the development of the city’s first official plan, which is expected to be completed by September.
This matches the pattern of growth where much of the local activity is taking place in the former Dymond Township, in the northern end of the city.
Several unnamed companies are looking at picking up land and various development opportunities there, with a well-known furniture brand from Quebec having shown some interest.
In recent months, the Canadian chain TSC Incredible Country Hardware Store opened its doors in that same area with a new 7,000-square-foot location. While the chain has a strong presence in southern Ontario, this marked the second store opened in the North, with the other located in Sault Ste Marie.
A new tattoo parlor has also set up shop, as has a new locally-owned restaurant.
“There was a time when Temiskaming Shores was removed from the local culture, in that you went to North Bay for entertainment and over to Quebec to shop,” says Ken Laffrenier, president of the Tri-Town Chamber of Commerce. “Between the health of our economy, the rise in gas prices and all the outside interest our community is getting, that’s all changing.”
Institutional examples of this renewed interest include Northern College’s proposed addition to its Haileybury site. It is the school’s fastest-growing location, with an 8.4 per cent enrolment increase in 2007. Currently, enrolment is capped at 340 students as a result of space shortages. This has led to the anticipated acquisition of a nearby 10,000-square-foot facility.
The move mirrors the city’s own plans for expanding construction opportunities, particularly further development of the local industrial park, home to the likes of the 5th Wheel Training Institute.
The $9 million project, which is still seeking funding from government agencies, will allow for the existing space to be doubled. However, some existing water bypasses leading from the industrial park into the nearby Wabi River will be eliminated.
As the river feeds into Lake Temiskaming, this will allow the city to alleviate obvious environmental concerns and begin exploring the tourism potential.
The change will also allow for the lifting of a construction ban placed on the New Liskeard area by the provincial government as a result of the overtaxed water system.
“We’re starting to see all the different pieces of the economy come together,” Laffrenier says. “I think the city really is poised to take the next big step.”
