Planeview Manor to undergo major redevelopment

LEDUC -- Planeview Manor in Leduc is set to undergo major redevelopment for the first time since 2004.

This comes as the plans for the more than sixty-year-old seniors lodge are now being finalized by the Leduc Regional Housing Foundation. Since its construction in 1963, the building located in Leduc's Willow Park neighbourhood has been redeveloped a total of four times.

Following its last major upgrade more than twenty years ago, many of the building's units have deteriorated in quality, prompting the major project to be undertaken. LRHF Executive Director Margot Hagarty talked about what the redevelopment will look like in conversation with 93.1 The One.

"We're at a point where the current infrastructure is not congruent with the needs of today. So, we'll be replacing 81 of the 121 lodge units, and then we also want to do an addition of 66 units of affordable housing," said Hagarty. "It will be a redevelopment that will include both new units and the replacement of old units."

The project is expected to cost approximately $66 million as the Leduc Regional Housing Foundation applied for a grant from the provincial government in January. If approved, this grant would cover up to $26 million of the major project, while 30 per cent of the total cost would need to be raised by the LRHF. 

"Once we get the go ahead, we would be breaking ground in the spring of 2027," said Hagarty. "The build will be three phases -- that's to make sure we don't misplace anyone while we're doing it. Our lodge rooms are a precious commodity. We don't want to turn seniors away or ask people to move out while we're doing this."

To allow the major expansion work to be completed without displacing any residents, phase one of the project will be built into the existing parking lot to transfer seniors into that space before demolition work begins as part of phase two. Once construction begins next year, the project is expected to take a total of three to five years to be completed. It will also include an expanded parking lot and a new outdoor common space.

"It's very important to support the seniors in our region," said Hagarty. "These are the individuals that built our province, and we need to make sure that we have this option available. As we know, the economy is changing. Things are getting more and more difficult. Once we retire, there are limited funds. Our retirement benefits don't grow at the same rate as our cost-of-living increases have grown. We need to ensure that there's an affordable component in the community." 

To help generate funding for the major project, the LRHF will be hosting its "Housing is Key" breakfast fundraiser on April 23, 2026.