A major commercial and residential development is on its way to Stonewall.
Whiteland Real Estate announced last week a new campus called the Quarry District will transform about 50 acres of land along Highway 67 on the east side of town.
This conceptual drawing shows Whiteland’s Quarry District, as well as the planned aging-in-place land
About 15 acres will be dedicated to the Quarry District’s commercial core. The $40-million Phase 1 is expected to break ground this spring with around 44,000 square feet of commercial space. Red River Co-op will anchor this space by launching a 26,500-square-foot grocery store that is expected to open in 2027.
Whiteland will sell another 31.5 acres to the Town of Stonewall for future use. In addition, Whiteland will use the remaining land for residential development, which will include up to 500 mixed-use housing units.
“This development represents Whiteland’s long-term commitment to Stonewall, beginning with the first phase of commercial development this spring,” said Satpal Singh Sidhu, president of Whiteland Real Estate.
“We are in the planning process on the residential component and look forward to submitting a subdivision plan to the town and engaging with residents before that work begins. The Quarry District development will be built out over a number of phases, beginning with the commercial campus, over a period of five to seven years.”
A traffic study has already been completed and submitted to the province.
“There is a requirement that the access road align with the current cross street at 2nd Avenue N,” Sidhu said. “We will work closely with the province and the community on any infrastructure improvements that are deemed necessary.”
The residential development is currently in the planning stages, and Whiteland will submit a subdivision proposal to the South Interlake Planning District in the next few months.
“We look forward to hearing from community members and sharing our vision for a mixed-use development that could include a variety of housing types, including seniors’ housing,” Sidhu said. “Our plans will align with the zoning bylaw requirements and will include opportunities for feedback and input.”
The Town of Stonewall will cost-share the infrastructure servicing, including sewer, water and drainage. Improvements will extend infrastructure throughout the Quarry District as well as into the nearby land for the future age-in-place campus.
Stonewall residents can also look forward to updates to the community’s regional trails system with connections to new areas, enhancements to sidewalks and increases to options for active transportation.
“Whiteland is responsible for the active transportation work within the development as well as the connections to the work that will be undertaken by Stonewall,” Sidhu said.
“Stonewall will be extending the active transportation path in the aging-in-place campus to Rockwood, along 236 from the aging-in-place campus land to Highway 67 and from Highway 67 to the Quarry District. Stonewall received provincial funding to support the extension of the network and Whiteland will integrate with those plans.”
In addition to Red River Co-op, other commercial entities are expressing interest in the new development.
“We’ve had a great deal of interest in this development project, with many recognizable retailers, service-based businesses, health and wellness operators, and other complementary commercial users reaching out to us about investing in Stonewall,” Sidhu said.
“Since the announcement, those calls have increased and our leasing partners are working hard to finalize details so that we can share more exciting details with Stonewall in the near future.”
Right from initial conversations with council, Sidhu said there’s been great support for this development.
“Red River Co-op has also been a great partner and we appreciate the efforts of everyone who has helped make this project happen,” he added.
“We are genuinely excited to be building in Stonewall and look forward to sharing more details with the community as they are available.”
Craig Gilpin, CEO of Red River Co-op, expressed excitement about bringing their $17.5-million investment to the community. Once the new grocery store is complete, all food store operations will move to the new location. The Co-op gas bar in Stonewall will continue operating at its current location.
“We are thrilled to be able to be offering area residents expanded choice in grocery, fresh produce, meat, deli, bakery and home meal replacements, creating a more complete and convenient local shopping experience,” Gilpin said. “This store will also feature Red River Co-op’s new design concept for the first time.”
The new Co-op design features locally quarried stone across the front façade in an effort to reflect Stonewall’s character and support local investment.
Stonewall Mayor Sandra Smith said the Quarry District combines Whiteland’s innovative mixed-use development with the town’s strategic vision, resulting in a win-win for generations to come.
“This is a transformative investment in the future of our town,” she said. “This investment will not only strengthen our community and enhance quality of life for Stonewall residents, it will enable the infrastructure required for progress on the neighbouring aging-in-place campus.”
Robert Price-Lewis, president of Stonewall and District Chamber of Commerce, said the announcement of Whiteland Real Estate’s $40-million investment into the Quarry District development marks an important moment in Stonewall’s evolution.
“Projects of this scale reflect strong confidence in our town’s trajectory and in the people who call it home,” he said. “As a resident and chamber president, I see significant opportunity in this development.”
Residents will benefit from the added commercial space and new housing, as well as the recently announced hotel that will be built in Stonewall by Steel Creek Developers, he added. At the same time, these developments will help support continued population growth.
“That growth attracts business investment, strengthens our local economy and expands the services available within our community,” Price-Lewis said.
“Stonewall has often been described as a bedroom community, but our goal is to grow as a thriving community in our own right. While some residents will always commute elsewhere for work, we want to create an environment where more people also work, shop, invest and build businesses here at home.”
Price-Lewis also wants to ensure this growth creates meaningful opportunities locally — including employment for residents and space for entrepreneurs to establish or expand within the new district.
“When growth is collaborative and community-focused, its impact is lasting,” he said.
“Overall, I am optimistic. With cooperation between developers, town leadership, local businesses and residents, the Quarry District has the potential to strengthen Stonewall’s economic foundation and support its continued progress in a positive direction.”
