Land Development 2024
Yellowknife
Fort Providence
Fort Simpson
Kakisa
Fort Resolution
Fort Smith
Great Slave Lake
Steen River
Why Hay River?
OVERVIEW OF HAY RIVER
Hay River is in the traditional territories of Kátł’odeeche First Nation (KFN) and West Point First Nation (WPFN). The land was also historically used by the Hay River Métis Government Council of the Northwest Territory Métis Nation and Hay River Métis Local #51.
Described as “the Hub of the North”, Hay River is one of the largest communities in the Northwest Territories (NT) with a population of approximately 3,800 people and is located along the Hay River on the south side of Great Slave Lake, just over 100 km north of the NT/ Alberta border. Hay River has access to a commerce and trading area of approximately 10,000 people – between northern Alberta and the South Slave.
The Town’s 2022-25 Strategic Plan sets out a Vision for the community that embraces its past and celebrates its future:
Hay River is a culturally diverse hub that celebrates its history, social and recreational well-being, and its opportunities for growth.
SENSE OF COMMUNITY
Hay River has invested significant effort in planning for the future. The 2022-25 Strategic Plan is the umbrella planning document, supported by more detailed plans including the 2024 Healthy Community Strategy, 2024 10-year Capital Plan, 2023 Housing Plan, 2024 Trails and Greenspace Master Plan, 2022 Land Development
Plan, 2020 Tourism and Marketing Plans and the 2014 Agriculture Plan.
This coordinated approach to achieving the Vision in the Strategic Plan helps to bring perspective from a diverse group of residents and creates a community approach to guiding Hay River to be a thriving community.
ECONOMIC AND LIFESTYLE OPPORTUNITIES
Hay River is one of only six communities in the Northwest Territories that can be said to have viable private sectors. Less than 17% of the labour force is employed by Government, versus an average of over 23% for the whole of the Northwest Territories.
The population of Hay River is less than 5,000 but it has many amenities of a much larger community including a health centre, English and French schools offering programming from pre-kindergarten to grade 12, a regional library, an airport with northern and southern flight services, senior society, service groups and other amenities appealing to families, professionals and retirees.
LOCATION
“Hub of the North” is a reference to the location of Hay River and its setting relative to other NWT communities and Alberta. Year-round transportation links by highway and relatively short air links to the capital of NWT and the capital of Alberta support connectivity to trade, travel and economic opportunities. Hay River is also situated on the south shore of Great Slave Lake creating water transportation links to many northern communities along the Mackenzie River.
CULTURE AND RECREATION
Hay River is influenced by its history as a traditional hunting and trapping settlement, mission station, trading post and stopover point for those travelling the Mackenzie River Early influences from the local Indigenous peoples and settlers to the area created a culture of respect for the environment and natural beauty of the community
Hay River is not only a transportation hub, it’s a “hub of activity” In 2024, Hay River won the grand prize of $100,000 for being the most active community in Canada in the national event called the ParticipACTION Community Challenge
Summers in Hay River are bustling with activity, kicking off with the NWT Track and Field event, that brings hundreds of students and coaches from across the NWT to Hay River Fisherman’s Wharf and the new pavilion host musicians, food and craft vendors every Saturday making it a popular gathering spot throughout the summer The annual Hay Days festival is a multi-day event that showcases artists and musicians through a variety of attractions spread throughout the community Hay River also has beautiful beaches that rival some of the best in the Southern provinces and stretch for miles
Hay River is a “community in nature”
Surrounded by boreal forest, Hay River is a natural setting for trails including hiking, ATV, cross-country skiing and dog sledding Hay River features a picturesque 9-hole golf course, which shares space with a Nordic centre, home to excellent cross-country ski trails during the winter months
Bounded by the Hay River and the Great Slave Lake, it’s easy to participate in water activities including boating, kayaking, fishing, swimming and in winter, these same waterways present opportunities for snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice hockey, and ice fishing Hay River’s Polar Pond Hockey tournament gained national attention when NHL alumni and Olympic medalists joined the locals and visiting teams to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change on the North Typically held in March, this annual event is open to all ages and skill levels and is a great event to welcome spring to the North
If you’re interested in exploring the area, there are several different waterfalls a short drive away This includes the Alexandra Falls, which is great for a picnic, Louise Falls where you can set up a camper, up the road to McNallie Creek and Lady Evelyn Falls
Residential Grant Program
MULTI-FAMILY
• Incentives up to $35,000 per unit for multi-family residential housing
• Includes new builds and retrofits that create incremental housing
ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT
• Incentives up to $20,000 per ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit)
• Includes living/secondary suites, garden suites and detached garage suites
Why Build in Hay River
Whether you live in Hay River already and are looking for a change or you’re thinking about moving to Hay River, now is the time to take advantage of new municipal land opportunities. Hay River is preparing for the future with two new residential subdivisions ready for development and a third subdivision with mixed zoning on the horizon.
Hay River is close to at least four emerging economic opportunities:
In September 2024, the territorial government completed construction of a new fish processing plant in Hay River The following is a quote from the Minister of Industry, Tourism, and Investment:
The completion of the construction phase of the Hay River Fish Plant is a major step on the path towards revitalizing the Great Slave Fishery, supporting a diversified NWT economy. The plant will aim to create new jobs and the ability to process and sell NWT fish, as we progress towards a fishery managed and operated directly by the local companies and fishers who work on the lake.
The GNWT have announced plans to construct a long-term care facility in Hay River This critical infrastructure will provide much needed supports for an aging population and create job opportunities during construction and long-term employment opportunities when the facility opens
LAND INCENTIVES
The Land Sales Incentive Program shall apply to all land sales in the Town of Hay River.
• Purchaser pays a 10% nonrefundable deposit on land
• Upon acceptance of their application the purchaser gets “possession” of the land, which gives them the right to develop
• Purchaser pays property taxes on the land from date of possession
• Purchaser has up to 12 months from the date of acceptance of their application to pay for the land plus GST (less deposit), interest free
• Upon final payment, the Town will transfer title to the purchaser subject to the development conditions outlined in the Land Administration Bylaw No. 2178 and the Agreement for Sale
• If payment for the land is not received within the 12 months period the land reverts to the Town plus all related improvements, the 10% deposit is not refunded
AWP Industries Corp, is an industrial development in the neighbouring community of Enterprise, and is in the early stages of implementing its long-term plan, starting with a rail system to provide bulk fuel to the NWT and planning for expansion into other activities that will create economic opportunities
Pine Point Mine has completed the exploration phase of the project and is now entering the planning and permitting stage The project is estimated to bring 500 construction jobs and 400 operations jobs and approximately $650 million in direct revenue to the NWT The Town of Hay River has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pine Point Mines and looks forward to working in partnership to support this economic opportunity
Amenities
Daycare and Preschool
Pre-K-12 Public and French Immersion Schools
Banking services, pharmacy, other retail & entertainment options
Aurora viewing Trail system
Playgrounds and recreational facilities
New (2019) Community Health Centre
All season road access to South and Yellowknife
A short drive to spectacular falls
Social supports, assisted living, senior society
Fraser Place
Fraser Place is in a mature residential area, within walking distance of downtown, schools, groceries, and recreation facilities.
The development has been designed with walkways running through the area and between lots to provide connections from nearby streets to the existing informal trails that run to the north and south along the river The
planning for Fraser Place includes a new greenspace that will be finalized after discussions with parents and youth who live in this area
SELLING IN PHASES
• Phase 1 – 11 lots (lots 19 to 29)
• Phase 2 – 18 lots (lots 1 to 18)
Downtown Hay River
Retail, services, regional library
Schools
Arena, aquatic centre, walking track
Fire and ambulance services
Aspen Heights Subdivision
Initial planning for Aspen Heights was completed in 2000. This subdivision will feature a mix of manufactured, single unit and multi-unit housing, and has a population potential estimated at 550. This could be increased to 600 with reduced lot sizes. Greenspace and recreational areas will be incorporated into the conceptual design.
The Town is accepting proposals from developers for land acquisition and development. Aspen Heights subdivision will be looking to move forward with development within the next four (4) years. A phased approach to developing the area is proposed, with Phase 2 in Figure 1 identified as the first phase to be completed.
Figure 1: Aspen Heights Subdivision Conceptual Plan
Sundog Subdivision
Sundog subdivision is located beside the newly constructed (2019) Hay River Health Centre The Town has identified a mix of commercial and residential use as the intended plan for Sundog The Government of the Northwest Territories has identified Sundog as the location for the construction of a 24-bed long term care facility
Figure 2: Sundog Subdivision Conceptual Plan
It is anticipated that Sundog will see its first development activity within the next four (4) years, starting with the long-term care facility Figure 2 is a conceptual plan for Sundog subdivision
C3 Mixed Used Commercial
R1B Single Family Residential CLASS B: 12 LOTS
R1C Single Family Residential CLASS C: 39 LOTS
R4 Multi-family Residential
Green Space, Utility & Drainage
Row: Road Right-of-Way
