Flanked by local dignitaries, members of Rice Development broke ground on the Westlinks community March 6 that will feature 40 townhomes, 60 single family homes, apartments and the potential for commercial development. From left, Saugeen Shores Councillor Dave Myette, Saugeen Shores Deputy Mayor Luke Charbonneau, Susan Terry and Kate Cammidge-Irwin of Re/Max Land Exchange Ltd. Port Elgin, Brad Mercer and Jason Da Silva of Rice Development, Saugeen Shores Mayor Mike Smith, Rod and Heather Rice of Rice Development, Saugeen Shores Councillor John Rich, and Saugeen Shores Councillor Don Matheson.

Hub Staff

The shovels of Rice Development are in the ground as the developer makes way for services and roads for the new Westlinks development located at the edge of Port Elgin on County Road 17.

Bungalow style town homes starting at $319,000 and touted as a “front porch community” will be the first chapter of an ambitious plan. During a ground-breaking ceremony March 7, Developer Rod Rice said that 40 townhomes will be built leaving way for 60 single family homes, apartments and the potential for commercial space. Rice said that they’ve had a “great response from the community in terms of sales” for the townhouse bungalows and that the spots for single family homes are currently being sold to local builders and contractors. “They're probably itching for us to get the hard surface down so they can start at the latter half of this year,” said the developer.

“One of the growing demands is for a Bruce Power apartment site planned on the site and hopefully we will be available to provide much needed rental accommodation to the local residents of Saugeen Shores,” he added.

Mayor of Saugeen Shores Mike Smith said that Rod Rice’s “vision was such a great idea” and added, “you picked what I think is the best community.”

Mayor Smith went on to say that after a recent trip to the Canadian Nuclear Association Conference that many businesses are very interested in coming to Saugeen Shores and will be looking for commercial and living space.

For more information and to view a site plan visit www.ricedevelopmentcorp.ca/west-links.