At Fortier Mattila Appraisals, we travel across Western Saskatchewan every day, evaluating agricultural, commercial, and municipal properties. Along the way, we get a frontline look at how rural communities are creatively solving infrastructure challenges to spur local economic growth.
Through our Saskatchewan Community Solutions Spotlight, we highlight successful regional projects to provide actionable blueprints for other municipalities facing similar hurdles. From adaptive reuse to strategic municipal partnerships, here are five standout projects demonstrating exceptional community problem-solving.
Adaptive Reuse: Solving the Rural Childcare Shortage
Securing licensed childcare is a major hurdle for rural economic growth. Rather than funding massive new commercial builds, several communities are successfully repurposing existing infrastructure:
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Eston (Residence to Daycare): The Nurture and Grow Early Learning Centre acquired a 1,590 sq. ft. home located across from the local school and completed significant renovations to repurpose the building into a licensed daycare. Made possible through local fundraising and volunteer hours, the facility now provides approved childcare for 40 children. Appraisal services by Fortier Mattila Appraisals Inc.
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Hepburn (Dorms to Daycare): Following the Town of Hepburn’s acquisition of the former Bethany College, Greystone Homes completed a large-scale renovation of a former college dorm building. Today, the Hepburn Childcare Hub operates as a 2,500 sq.ft. center with an approved capacity for 30 children.
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Wilkie (Building Relocation & Conversion): Little Seedlings Daycare successfully relocated an existing 4,376 sq.ft. building onto a new basement, renovating it into a modern facility near local schools and the new swimming pool. Completed through volunteer efforts and local fundraising, it features childcare capacity for 40 children and an afterschool program for 15 students. Appraisal services by Fortier Mattila Appraisals Inc.
Strategic Municipal Partnerships: Reducing Regional Overhead
With rising construction and operating costs, neighboring rural municipalities (RMs) and towns are partnering to share the financial load of essential services:
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Rosetown (Joint Municipal Office): The RMs of Pleasant Valley and Marriott partnered to construct a purpose-built 2,315 sq.ft. joint municipal office centrally located in Rosetown. Completed in October 2023, the facility serves as the administrative headquarters for both local governments, allowing them to significantly reduce overhead costs by utilizing a shared administrator and assistant administrator.
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Luseland (Regional Firehall Build): To strategically reduce overall fire protection costs, Luseland, Denzil, and the RMs of Progress, Heart’s Hill, and Grass Lake formed the Luseland & District Fire Protection Board. Through this partnership, the municipalities are constructing a new, centrally located 7,000 sq.ft. firehall in Luseland designed to house necessary emergency vehicles and gear.
Bring Your Next Community Project to Life
Whether a municipality is purchasing a former college dorm for conversion or two RMs are partnering to construct a joint administrative building, securing accurate valuations is the first step in project planning, financing, and insurance placement.
Fortier Mattila Appraisals provides comprehensive commercial and municipal appraisal services across Western Saskatchewan to ensure your community projects are built on a foundation of accurate data.
