A study currently underway by an independent consultant is looking to nail down optimum locations for a ‘Regional Node’ that would serve both Martensville and Warman.
The Regional Node would be a shared area to locate proposed future amenities such as a regional high school and RCMP detachment headquarters.
The study, focusing on the land between Martensville and Warman, is a joint initiative by those two cities and the RM of Corman Park. The three municipalities are partnering on the project to facilitate planning for future growth.
ISL Engineering has been contracted to carry out the study, which is expected to wrap up next spring. The consultant’s report will contain specific recommendations on potential locations for the Regional Node, as well as suggestions on the type of development for the rest of the overall study area. The report will go to the three municipal councils in the spring of 2024.
An open house outlining the purpose and scope of the P4G Regional Node Concept Plan was held at the Warman Home Centre Communiplex on Thursday, October 5. Public feedback was also one of the objectives of the open house. Additional input into the study by landowners and residents can be accessed by going online to https://www.rmcormanpark.ca/338/Regional-Node-Concept-Plan.
Warman Planning and Development Manager Brad Toth said the study will narrow down potential sites for the Regional Node by taking into account many factors, including connectivity, drainage and land use.
“As both Warman and Martensville continue to grow, we’re seeing that in the future there could be a need for shared services, whether it’s recreational, protective services, or institutional,” said Toth. “So we think it’s important that, at least at a high level, we determine objectively where that might be located between the two communities, and how we would service it.”
Toth acknowledged discussions on a regional RCMP detachment facility have been ongoing for years, and the recent proposal for a regional high school by the school divisions is also in the mix. However, this study is not focused on either of those specific proposed projects.
“This is more about finding that right piece of land that connects well to both communities and can be serviced fairly easily,” said Toth. “In terms of what amenities could be located there, part of this study is to see what the populations of Warman and Martensville would be open to sharing in terms of services, and then also calculating some of those high-level costs.”
He added the study is “ground-breaking” in many ways.
“It’s a big deal anytime municipalities get together and invest this kind of money in terms of looking at shared future facilities,” he said.
ISL Engineering Community Planning Manager Darren Young said the consulting firm’s role is to provide an unbiased feasibility analysis.
“We’re looking at what would be the most serviceable location from the water, wastewater, storm water management, transportation and land-use perspectives,” said Young. “What we’re trying to do is keep this all very technical and evidence-based, so we can come up with a recommendation that makes the most sense from our professional opinion. We don’t bring the political side of things into this. It’s all about the technical defensibility,”
He said in addition to recommending a location for a Regional Node, the study will also outline what types of recreational, educational, institutional and protective services could exist within that node, and their relation to each other.
“But on top of that, we are looking also at the balance of the study area,” added Young. “Warman and Martensville have grown significantly over the last two decades, and those growth pressures are realistically going to trend into the future for an extended period. So it’s not surprising there will be a lot of development pressure between the two communities.”
Young said recommendations will be made with regard to the type of development within the overall study area.
“We want to give the municipalities an idea of where the areas are that are best suited to accommodate future growth, and whether that’s done at an urban level of service, like you see in Warman and Martensville, or if it’s more of the country residential acreage type development or rural industrial park within Corman Park.
“Those are things we’re looking at outside the Regional Node but still within the study area.”
Corman Park Division 6 Councillor Bas Froese-Kooijenga said there has already been quite a lot of development between the two cities, and the current study offers an opportunity for landowners and residents to have a say in what that future growth will look like. He added that regional cooperation between the municipalities is key to avoiding pitfalls in years to come.
“Ultimately there are a lot of restraints to development that have to be taken into account,” said Froese-Kooijenga. “Flooding is one of them. It’s important that all three parties are at the table.”
Young said the consultants have had considerable input already from landowners, residents, and shallow utility (telecommunications, water, etc) providers. He encouraged everyone to provide their input.
“This is something that is going to be a long ways out,” said Young. “This is a long-term plan. Nothing is going to happen overnight, but it’s going to be a great foundational piece for the politicians of the day to refer back to as they make decisions with respect to shared services sometime in the future.
“It helps avoid duplication so all the municipalities can benefit by making the most of the money they are investing.”