*Please note: Watch for updates that will be added to this page as the project continues. Background on the project can be found below.
The Candle Lake 55+ Housing Project would provide another housing option for residents who wish to remain in Candle Lake in their senior years. The project is proposed to be located on Sunset Way, and the first phase consists of ten purpose built rental multi-unit townhouses and/or row housing designed for individuals 55 years or older. The images below are renderings that depict what the Housing Project could look like when completed.
*The renderings and site plan below are initial designs created for discussion and description purposes only and have not been approved by Council.
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Project Status as of January 2025
Sale of Land Agreement
- The Resort Village is currently negotiating the potential sale of land for the housing development with Zaks Building Group who are partnering with Claystone Developments. If successful, this agreement will outline terms and conditions, design specifications, development timelines, and compliance with municipal planning and zoning requirements.
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Resort Village and Zaks/Claystone outlining the steps required to advance toward a formal Land Sale Agreement was created and approved at the December public council meeting. The MOU includes the goal of negotiating and executing a Land Purchase Agreement between the Village and Zaks/Claystone by March 31, 2025. This process allows the public to be informed of the progress and ensures that the process remains transparent. The actual negotiations are required to be conducted in private, as they must remain confidential until Council approves any decision. Finally, if successful, approval of a Purchase Agreement would be considered at a Council meeting open to the public.
Addressing Zoning Requirements
- Council has began the process to amend Zoning Bylaw 03-2016 to Rezone Lots 22 to 45 Blk. C Plan 102074352 from R1 to R2 that would change the zoning of lands along Sunset Way from R1 (Low Density Residential) to R2 which will allow multiple unit residential dwellings (Medium Density Residential) while still permitting the development of single-family dwellings. Rezoning the land is not being done specifically for the Zaks/Claystone proposal, but rather to ensure the land will be ready to accommodate any future multiple unit residential development.
For more details, see the Zoning Bylaw 03-2016 to Rezone Lots 22 to 45 Blk. C Plan 102074352 from R1 to R2
Next Steps & Timeline
The MOU between the Resort Village of Candle Lake and Zaks/Claystone commits the parties to negotiate to see if mutually satisfactory terms can be determined for a Land Purchase Agreement by March 31, 2025. Re-zoning activities should be completed by that date and the land would be in a condition that it could be sold for a multiple unit residential development if Council so decides. If the negotiations are unsuccessful, the project will not proceed. Any decision to approve a land sale would ultimately be made at a public Council meeting.
If the process is successful, the project would move forward after approval of development and building permits. The developer intends to commence construction in 2025 with projected completion date sometime in 2026. Future phases would need to proceed within a predetermined period, or the purchaser would forfeit their option to purchase land for future phases.
Should this housing project be successful, the process could be repeated in the future to address other needs identified in the Housing Demands Needs Assessment. This could include housing styles that incorporate supportive living services, internal common spaces for recreation and socialization, or even a subsidized affordable housing project.
More information will be shared as it becomes available.
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Project Background & Work Completed to Date
The Idea of a Housing Complex for Seniors
- Summer 2022: Several community members communicated to Council their desire to see more housing options in the community that could meet the needs of healthy, independent, older adults and seniors and which would allow them to stay in the community as they age without the demands and costs of owning a cottage property. The group formed a Steering Committee, which included community members and some members of Council.
- October 2022: The group held a community meeting to gauge interest in such a project. Background data on current housing, income, and population characteristics of the community was compiled. A survey was developed for people aged 55 and older, and a list of potential sites for a development was compiled. The group requested funding from the Resort Village to conduct a formal needs assessment to see if the idea was viable.
The Feasibility of a Housing Development for Older Adults
- February 2023: The Housing Demands Needs Assessment completed by Wallace Insights, sought input from the public and found there is a very high desire for housing among older residents (those aged 55 and older) who wish to remain in Candle Lake as they age. One-third of those who participated in the research indicated they are considering a move within five years unless there are other housing options available for them. It also identified interest in attracting more health care services to the community so that care is available as close to home as possible.
Learn more about the Assessment at this link: Housing Needs and Demand Assessment Report that was created upon completion of the assessment. Frequently Asked Questions about the Housing Needs Assessment were also created.
Other relevant statistics include:
- 1,160 people currently live in the Resort Village year-round (Statistics Canada, 2021). Of equal note, Candle Lake has another 1,109+ private dwellings, not counted in the census. These second homes are not just vacation homes. A substantial number of these property owners will comprise the next surge of permanent residents, as many of these people invest in their second home, anticipating their future retirement here.
- In the last five years the permanent population has increased by 38%. The greatest permanent population growth is the retirement age demographic.
- People move here permanently to enjoy their retirement years. Currently 71% of the permanent population, approximately 825 of the 1,160 total population, are people over the age of 50.
Gauging Interest from Developers to Deliver a Housing Project
December 2023: Council approved a transparent process to seek proponents qualified and interested in investing in a housing project designed for individuals over 55. The 55 Plus Housing Steering Committee drafted and issued an Expression of Interest (EOI). The EOI contained criteria for housing that would meet the needs identified in the Housing Demands and Needs Assessment. It was sent to the members of the Saskatchewan Home Builders Association and individual home builders and developers located in central Saskatchewan to determine if there was interest in developing a seniors housing project in Candle Lake.
See the Expression of Interest issued by the RVCL
March 2024: As a result of the public process, three home builders were pre-screened and pre-qualified and invited to respond to a Request for Proposal competition which was issued. Subsequently, the 55 Plus Housing Steering Committee received one proposal resulting from the RFP process. A joint proposal from Zaks Building Group and Claystone Development was reviewed by the Steering Committee and referred to Council along with their comments. Wallace Insights also prepared a report to Council outlining the process followed which resulted in a proposal that substantially addressed needs identified in the Housing Demands and Needs Assessment.
See the Request for Proposal issued by the RVCL
Fall 2024: Council's review of the proposal was delayed due to the 2024 Municipal Election. Once the new Council convened, their review process included an analysis of various documents, such as the Housing Demand and Needs Assessment, the public Expression of Interest (EOI) document and submissions received, the RFP that was issued, and the proposal from Zaks/Claystone. They also reviewed the proposal alongside feedback from the Steering Committee and Wallace Insights.
After careful consideration, Council determined the proposal met many of the requirements outlined in the original RFP. As a result, Council conducted a site visit to Claystone’s existing senior housing projects in Hague and Zaks Building facilities. These visits allowed them to assess the proponent’s capabilities and the quality of their previous work firsthand. They also engaged directly with the project team to discuss details of the proposed project for Candle Lake. Ultimately, Council concluded that the proposal merited further consideration, contingent on the successful negotiation of land sale terms, as well as specific design and development elements.
October 2024: Council met with the Steering Committee to update them on their progress.
December 2024: Nearly two years after the first public meeting was held to discuss the need for a seniors housing project, Council executed a Memorandum of Understanding between the Village and Zaks/Claystone agreeing to negotiate mutually acceptable terms for a future Sale Agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 55 Plus Housing Project