Condo complex touted as key to downtown revitalization
By Lethbridge Herald on April 21, 2022.
Herald photo by Al Beeber
Monterra Projects’ Garry Renkema and Jo Ann Kelly, mayor Blaine Hyggen, councillor Nick Paladino, architect Alvin Fritz and Ironbridge Capital’s Douglas Bergen take part in the official sod-turning of the 102 Scenic Drive condominium project.Al Beeber – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – abeeber@lethbridgeherald.com
Ground has broken on a new downtown condominium development overlooking the High Level bridge and Oldman River valley.
102 Scenic Drive will offer one, two and three-bedroom units ranging in size from 870 to 3,387 square feet. The project will also include when completed an indoor swimming pool and spa, indoor parking, wine bar, golf simulator and movie theatre.
The first phase of the project is already 50 per cent sold out. The development is a joint venture of Vancouver Island-based Monterra Projects Ltd and Ironbridge Capital Inc.
The groundbreaking on a cold Wednesday morning featured speeches by Douglas Bergen, the owner/developer of Ironbridge Capital Inc. Also speaking were architect Alvin Fritz and Lethbridge mayor Blaine Hyggen who spoke about the role the new complex will play in the revitalization of downtown Lethbridge.
Among those who did the sod-turning was councillor Nick Paladino who first told Bergen about the 10.5 acre parcel of land on the escarpment.
“It wasn’t long after that I found myself in Alvin Fritz’s office going through designs” for what he called a cruise liner on the prairies, said Bergen.
Fritz is a gifted architect but that isn’t his greatest strength, said Bergen.
“Anyone who knows him knows Alvin cares more about lifting people around him than he does about buildings. That’s what makes him a great choice for a consultant on this project; because he’s the right one for a project that’s built to connect people and to lift the spirits of their occupants, he said.
He praised the work of geotechnical engineer Marc Sabourin for his work spending over a year on the project.
“It was both challenging and rewarding to put this vision (in place) but Garry Renkema (owner of Monterra Projects) and I knew that when it came to realizing it, it would only be a dream, would remain a dream, if we couldn’t find someone as excited about it as we are,” so the company found the real estate team of Allan and Jo Ann Kelly to market the project, he said.
“For me today is about being grateful, grateful for all those who believed,” said Bergen.
He thanked the City of Lethbridge administration and council for its support in the venture.
Fritz spoke about some of the projects he’s worked on above the coulees including Pemmican Lodge and Blackrock Terrace, talking about the undulations of the coulees and the work involved in creating solid structures atop them.
Mayor Hyggen got laughs by welcoming the crowd to “Fritz Ridge,” recalling conversations he had with Bergen and others about the vision of the project.
“What an incredible vision,” he emphasized.
“This council is committed to a long-term process of revitalizing downtown. This is part of it,” the mayor said.
“This is really exciting.”
Prices will start in the low $300,000 range for one-bedroom units which have between 870 and 990 sq. ft. and go into the $500,000 range for three-bedroom condos. Penthouse suites will be priced over a million dollars apiece. Follow @albeebHerald on Twitter
20-19
I guess it might be ok if you can keep the downtown undesirables from sleeping on your patio.