Nathan VanderKlippe
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Jan 18/02) - A Hay River couple plans to build 14 new condominium units on 43 Street over the next two years.

Sandra Lester and Glenn Smart, owners of the Hay River Bakery, were issued a development permit on Tuesday for an eight-plex unit to be built this year. They hope to add an additional six units next year.

"We looked at property here in Hay River, (but the land on 43 Street) was offered to us and it was just as good a deal," said Lester. "And the housing market is extremely strong, so it seemed like a good deal."

Six mobile homes are currently at the location, 4924-4932 43rd St. The owners have been asked "to relocate their mobile homes elsewhere," said Lester.

Drawings for the first building have been sent for off for mechanical and electrical inspection, and Lester hopes to build sometime this summer.

"They're going to be very beautiful high-end units," she said.

The upstairs four units will have two bedrooms, an office and a 30.24-square metre balcony for a total of 162 square metres of space.

Downstairs units will have a smaller balcony and no office for a total of 126 square metres.

No price has yet been set for the condominiums, which Lester plans to name "The Lofts on 43rd."