INNISFAIL – The green light is flashing brightly for the town to go full speed ahead on its ambitious Napoleon Lake South development on the west side of Innisfail.
The Town of Innisfail's council recently unanimously approved a motion to move forward with the new west side residential project, and for administration to continue lot sales and provide the tender evaluation summary and award recommendation at the April 28 regular council meeting.
With council’s approval on-site infrastructure construction work is expected to start in mid-May and with a large portion completed by mid-September.
The specific work to be done this year includes the installation of water and sewer lines, as well as curbs and sidewalks.
But there is more to be done in 2026.
“We still have to work with Alberta Transportation to determine what we need to do and when for those for the (Highway 54 and 42 Street) intersection improvements,” said Meghan Jenkins, community services director for the Town of Innisfail, who is the town’s lead on the project. “And then there's landscaping, trail construction, and paving that we won't contract out until next year. We don't have the finalized cost on those.”
In the meantime, the tendering process for contractors to do the work continued for most of April.
Jenkins said the contract for the winning bid was scheduled to be presented at town council on April 28.
The cost estimate for the town to go ahead with the development is just over $4.8 million, with the total including a 15 per cent contingency and required upgrades at the Highway 54 and 42 Street intersection.
“Revenue and expense projections indicate that this project can be self-funded with cash flow from the Land Acquisition Reserve to cover initial development costs,” said Jenkins during her report to council. “Total project costs are being continually refined with the tender bids representing the bulk of the project costs.
“Based on current sales and costing the project remains revenue positive.”
As for the start of home construction, Jenkins said the town is targeting a fall date “shortly after” all the utilities are installed and the roads completed.
“Then we can start issuing building permits, so the target is October,” said Jenkins. “If anyone wants to purchase lots, they can contact the town.”
On April 10 the town hosted a public lot draw at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre for citizens and builders to choose lots at the 12-acre vacant town-owned land, located south of Napoleon Lake near the intersection of 42 St. and Highway 54.
There were 62 lots available with prices starting at $101,900.
The lots include those for single family homes, duplexes, townhouses, a larger additional one for an apartment building and another for buildings on a 1.62-acre parcel of commercial land.
The lot draw required pre-registration, a $5,000 deposit and in-person attendance at the event.
Following the lot draw, successful individuals are required to enter into a purchase agreement by May 9, along with a 10 per cent deposit.
A total of 16 residential lots were selected by builders.
Jenkins told council that a letter of intent is also in place for the development of 0.94 acres of the Direct Control area of the site for a purchase price of $235,000.
The parcel is earmarked for the development of an apartment building.
“These sales represent 25 per cent of the projected revenue being secured and 27 per cent of the properties,” Jenkins told council. “Administration feels the lot draw results combined with general interest provides sufficient certainty to continue moving the project forward.”
