At a packed Town Council meeting held Tuesday, June 17, Niverville Council officially approved what will become the tallest building in town, a six-storey mixed-use development, located at #400 and #500 Drover’s Run. The vote came after a public hearing that saw both support and opposition from residents, and raised wider concerns about how the town wants to manage future growth.
A Landmark Project for Niverville
The proposed 71-foot-tall structure, brought forward by developer Ray Dowse on behalf of Fairway Vistas Inc., will feature five floors of residential apartments above a main floor of commercial business space. It will also include an underground parking garage, a first for any building in the town.
“This will be the tallest building in Niverville,” Dowse confirmed after the meeting. “But it’s only 14 feet taller than the Niverville Heritage Centre, which is already 57 feet high. It’s in the right location; it doesn’t back onto any single-family homes. It’s near the railway, across from Arena Road, and surrounded by commercial buildings and other apartments. It fits.”
According to Dowse, the residential portion will offer 110 rental units spread across five floors, with the main floor available for lease to businesses.
“We’re excited,” he added. “It’s going to meet the growing demand for housing, especially multi-family and rental options, while also supporting businesses with new retail space.”
Public Pushback and Concerns
Despite Dowse’s optimism, not everyone was thrilled. A petition opposing the project, containing 281 signatures, 122 of which were from Niverville residents, was presented to Council ahead of the hearing. Three residents also attended in person to speak out against the proposal, raising concerns about the building’s height and what it could mean for the future look and feel of the community.
“I don’t like it,” one resident said simply during the hearing.
“No more apartments over three storeys,” another added.
One individual went further, directing their frustration at the developers: “Build us a pool or a library.”
The main concern voiced wasn’t necessarily about this specific building, but the broader implications of approving a six-storey structure. Several attendees said they feared it would set a precedent, opening the door for more “high-rise” buildings that could eventually reshape Niverville’s small-town character.
Council’s Response: This Isn’t a Precedent
Council was quick to address those concerns, making it clear that this decision did not change the process for future developments.
Mayor Myron Dyck spoke directly to the room: “This public hearing is only for 400 and 500 Drover’s Run. This is not precedent-setting. We are not pursuing six-storey buildings.”
Councillor Nathan Dueck reminded residents that in 2018, Council passed a bylaw requiring any proposed building over two storeys to go through a mandatory public hearing.
“Public input will always be necessary and appreciated,” Dueck said. “Just because this one was approved doesn’t mean we’re going to have six-storey buildings lining Main Street.”
The vote itself was unanimous. All members of Council voted in favour of the height variance, which allows the 71-foot-tall building to proceed.
Councillor Chris Wiebe acknowledged the developers for their investment in the community. “Thank you for taking a chance on Niverville,” he said to Dowse and his team at Fairway Vistas Inc.
Developer’s Reaction: “We’re All on the Same Page”
After the vote, Ray Dowse shared how he felt during the public hearing and about the feedback from residents.
“I was actually feeling positive,” he said. “I really appreciated hearing Council talk about growth and the importance of thoughtful development. Even those who came to oppose the project weren’t necessarily against this building; it was more about the future. And I agree with them. That’s exactly why there are public hearings like this.”
According to Dowse, several residents who had spoken in opposition approached him afterward to share kind words.
“They congratulated me and said they appreciated the investment in the town. It showed me that people do want to see Niverville grow, they just want it done responsibly.”
What’s Next?
Now that the project has been approved, Dowse says their team is moving into the design phase.
“We’ll be working on the final layout, the facade, and all the small details of this project, especially the curb appeal,” he said. “Because this is on Main Street frontage, we want it to look really sharp and be something people are proud of.”
This isn’t the only development Fairway Vistas has on the go in Niverville. Dowse also gave updates on two other major projects moving ahead this summer:
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A new strip mall on Drover’s Run that will include Negash Coffee, George’s Burgers, a dentist's office, a physiotherapy clinic, and the Warehouse Gaming Centre. Dowse says this project will “be in the ground in the next few weeks.”
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A conversion of the former car wash at 21 Main Street into a cycle studio. Construction is expected to begin in the next month.
“There’s a lot of excitement around Main Street right now,” Dowse said. “It’s great to be part of the changes happening in town.”
Affordable Housing and Niverville’s Future
One of the key selling points of the project, according to both Council and the developers, is affordability.
“The average home in Niverville is valued at around $400,000,” Dowse noted. “Rental apartments like this give people more options — whether they’re downsizing, just starting out, or moving to town for work.”
Mayor Dyck also tied the conversation to broader efforts to bring more amenities to Niverville, specifically, the long-awaited hotel. While this project wasn’t a hotel, Dyck reiterated, “We are pursuing hotels.”
A 74-room Blue Crescent Hotel is slated to begin construction this fall, according to Steel Creek developers.
Final Word
The June 17 Council meeting highlighted the balance Niverville is trying to strike between maintaining its small-town charm and supporting growth to meet modern needs.
With the approval of this six-storey project, the town took a step toward that future, one that aims to blend tradition with progress.
“It’s a significant project for the community,” Dowse said. “But more importantly, it’s a sign that people believe in Niverville’s future, and they want to be part of it.”