A proposed temporary work camp in Cold Lake could eventually house up to 1,500 workers involved in major construction at 4 Wing Cold Lake, but city officials stress that council has not approved the camp itself.

The proposal, prepared by SE Design and Consulting on behalf of Iron Horse Developments Inc., would require the land to be rezoned from residential to Direct Control before a future development permit application could be considered.

The proposed Iron Horse Work Camp is intended to support the construction of the new fighter squadron facility at 4 Wing Cold Lake, a federally funded defence infrastructure project expected to bring a large temporary workforce to the city.

According to the proposal, the work camp is meant to reduce pressure on Cold Lake’s existing housing and rental market by housing specialized construction workers in a managed, temporary facility rather than placing them in local rentals, hotels, or short-term accommodations.

The camp would be built in phases. Each phase would include about 500 rooms for workers and 42 rooms for support staff. If fully built out, the camp would include about 1,500 workers, plus support staff.

The facility would include dormitory-style rooms, dining and kitchen facilities, recreation areas, fitness spaces, laundry, parking, internal roads, loading areas, security and transportation coordination.

The proposal also states the camp would be operated by Primco Dene Royal Camp Services LP, a partnership formed between Royal Camp Services and Primco Dene, a company owned by Cold Lake First Nations.

Meant to reduce housing pressure

City administration told council the rezoning request is the first step in the process and was brought forward under land use rules council adopted earlier this year to deal with temporary project accommodations.

The intent is to give council direct control over the site so conditions can be placed on any future development permit.

A development permit for the actual work camp would still need to come back to council and would include another public hearing.

During the public hearing, administration said the camp is being considered as a way to reduce the impact a large temporary workforce could have on Cold Lake’s housing and rental market.

The proposal says that Cold Lake and the surrounding region already have limited housing availability, and that accommodating the full workforce within the existing market would create additional pressure on rentals, short-term accommodations, and community services.

Residents raise concerns about traffic, schools and neighbourhood impact

Residents who spoke during the public hearing raised concerns about the size of the camp, traffic, nearby schools and the impact on surrounding residential areas.

One resident questioned whether the camp would eventually house 540 people total or 540 people per phase. Administration confirmed each phase would accommodate about 540 people, meaning the full buildout could reach more than 1,500 people.

Other residents raised concerns about the camp’s proximity to schools, traffic through the area and the effect on nearby neighbourhoods.

The applicant and administration said the camp would include controls such as fencing, on-site security, visitor restrictions and shuttle transportation to move workers between the camp and 4 Wing.

The proposal outlines a transportation plan using buses, coaches and shuttle vans to reduce the number of personal vehicles travelling to and from the base. Workers would be transported to the worksite through organized schedules, including staggered shifts.

Iron Horse Trail operator asks for fencing and trees

North East Muni-Corr Ltd., which controls the adjacent Iron Horse Trail lands, submitted a letter stating it does not object to the rezoning, provided that access and buffering measures are included.

“We have no objection to the rezoning provided there are measures in place to control access and movement,” wrote Dwayne Yaremkevich, president of North East Muni-Corr Ltd.

The organization requested that the south and west boundaries of the rezoned parcel be fenced to prevent vehicle traffic from entering Muni-Corr property.

It also requested a row of trees along the southern edge of its property between 51 Street and 56 Street to help buffer noise and dust between the two properties.

“Our preference is Manitoba poplars, which are highly favoured for shelterbelts, privacy screens and rapid shade due to their extreme cold-hardiness, adaptability to poor soil and fast growth rates,” Yaremkevich wrote.

Infrastructure could support future development

The proposal says the site would connect to city water, sanitary sewer, gas and electrical services.

Some of the infrastructure would be oversized and positioned to support future residential development once the temporary camp is removed.

The documents state the land has long been planned for future residential growth and that some servicing would remain in place following decommissioning.

If the project proceeds, Phase 1A is expected to reach peak occupancy by October 2026, Phase 1B by September 2027 and the full camp by September 2028.

Under Cold Lake’s land use rules, temporary project accommodations are initially limited to three years, though council can consider extensions.

Council has not yet made a final decision on the work camp. The current process only addresses whether the land should be rezoned to Direct Control so that a full development permit application can be considered later.