Wascana Village still trying to go forward
http://www.leaderpost.com/touch/news/reg...y+protests/9848197/story.html?rel=815153
REGINA — An agreement signed by the Rural Municipality of Sherwood, a First Nation and a corporation brings a new community southeast of Regina one step closer to fruition — despite political “mumbo jumbo” that has stalled the process for nearly a year.
“I can’t see it not happening,” said Daniel Schmid, president of the Great Prairie Development Corporation, adding that his company has never faced the kind of frustrating confusion that it has with this project.
Plans for Wascana Village, a proposed 736-acre, 14,000-resident community, has been progressing at a snail’s pace, largely due to the tense negotiations and political jousting between the City of Regina and the RM of Sherwood.
The company is currently waiting for the province to issue a finalized rezoning approval, which has butted up against some issues — something Regina Mayor Michael Fougere is quick to point out.
The developer is having to construct its own waste water treatment plant and prove it can supply safe water to the community. Regina refuses to service the area.
“Our position has been known for a long time that we are not supportive of that development,” said Fougere.
Even with its rejection of the idea, Great Prairie is still hoping the city will collaborate.
“We always are willing to work with the City of Regina,” said Schmid. “So far we haven’t had the opportunity to do that. We’ve invited them in for discussions.”
Almost exactly one year ago, the proposal for Wascana Village and Sherwood’s official community plan created a rift between the rural municipality and the City of Regina. The two governments were at odds over competing growth strategies. The city wanted to annex land for future expansion and desired a say in Sherwood’s urban-fringe development ambitions; the rural municipality refused to let the city stomp on its own ideas for growth.
The two signed a memorandum of understanding in November, which left the land for Wascana Village free for the RM of Sherwood to develop. But that doesn’t mean Regina is OK with a community the population of Swift Current popping up near its border.
“It would have a significant impact on our services, our streets, our infrastructure, our schools, our recreation areas,” said Fougere.
On Friday, though, the talk of significant impact was a positive one, when three groups agreed to build up the area south of Regina along a common understanding of “healthy development.”
“This is part of building our First Nation toward self-sufficiency and self-determination,” said Chief Lynn Acoose of Sakimay First Nation, which has also faced trouble aligning its development plans with those of the City of Regina.
Thanks to this agreement, Great Prairie will develop 800 acres of Sakimay land east of the proposed Wascana Village. Sakimay will also benefit from the new water services, and jobs promised to First Nation members through the development company.
The agreement also details how the development of the area will follow principles important to Sakimay, such as environmental sustainability and walkability.
“We don’t want to develop our lands in the kinds of models that are out there. The conventional development model doesn’t work for our purposes,” said Acoose. “We want to put people first.”
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