SMITHS FALLS — On Jan. 15, as a winter storm dropped a significant amount of snow on eastern Ontario, Highway 43 remained barely passable as vehicles crept along the stretch bordering the former Gallipeau Centre.
Inside the parameter of 361 Queen St., the contrast was immediate. Internal roads were already plowed and sanded by 8:30 a.m., despite the storm, offering an early indication of the activity underway at the sprawling site.
The former Gallipeau Centre was purchased in October by the Saumure Group of Companies, ending years of uncertainty surrounding the future of the property, previously known as the Rideau Regional Centre.
In an exclusive interview with Hometown News, President Chris Saumure and Vice President Chris Haines led the way into the boardroom, where a large topographical map and a drone image of the entire property lay on the table where plans unfolded.
A long-term vision, phased over decades
Saumure said the vision for the site is deliberately long term, coming in carefully phased stages over the next two to four decades.
“This is not a one-shot project,” Saumure said. “It’s far too large for that.”
The property spans 355 acres, with roughly 300 acres available for future development. Existing buildings on the site total about 800,000 square feet.
Residential development comes first
Immediate efforts are focused on residential development within the existing structures. Haines said plans are underway to add new apartment units in the West One wing, completing that section of the building.
“There are already tenants living here,” Haines said. “Maintaining that stability matters.”
Additional residential phases are planned as later stages for other wings once drawings, financing and approvals are in place. Over time, the long-term vision includes a mix of residential, commercial and community uses designed to function as a self-sustaining neighbourhood.
Haines said future residential units are being designed with affordability and demand in mind, particularly as housing costs continue to rise across the region.
He said some of the existing apartments on site are larger than what today’s renters are typically seeking, with higher price points as a result. As redevelopment progresses, future units are expected to be smaller and more efficiently designed, allowing rents to fall into a more accessible range.
Saumure said the goal is to bring new units online at price points at or below the $1,800/month range, rather than the higher rents associated with some of the larger existing apartments.
“That’s where the demand is,” he said. “People are downsizing.”
He said the approach reflects a broader shift in the rental market, where smaller, well-designed units are in higher demand than oversized apartments that come with higher monthly costs.
Commercial development, however, will follow residential density.
Long-term care and housing expansion
A component of the broader redevelopment includes a long-term care facility planned for a severed five-acre parcel adjacent to the Ontario Provincial Police detachment. Haines said the proposed facility would significantly expand long-term care capacity in the region.
Saumure and Haines are currently in discussions with housing developers regarding future neighbourhood development, including single-family homes and townhouses. Preliminary proposals are expected to be reviewed later this year, though no timelines have been finalized. The plan is for all-inclusive housing.
Saumure said the scale of the property represents a rare opportunity for Smiths Falls as the town continues to face housing pressures. He said there is potential to increase housing availability by up to 50 per cent, with as many as 2,800 units built over the lifespan of the project.
“This represents a significant portion of where the town can grow,” he said.
YMCA, pool and daycare discussions
Early discussions have also taken place with the YMCA regarding potential future uses at the site, including the pool and gym facilities, as well as childcare.
Saumure said keeping the pool operating remains a priority, provided it can be done in a financially and operationally sustainable way.
“We would love to see the pool and gym back in use,” he said. “But it has to make financial sense.”
He said the YMCA is well positioned to operate such facilities and access public funding that is not available to private property owners. Conversations have also included the possibility of childcare services, noting the YMCA is a major daycare provider across eastern Ontario.
Saumure also has a soft spot for pickleball and is thinking about the club that currently rents space at the property, and how best to accommodate them.
Haines said amenities such as recreation and childcare would depend on residential density and long-term planning, but could help reconnect the site to the broader community.
Saumure also confirmed there have been exploratory discussions around educational uses at the site, though he cautioned that no decisions have been made.
He said the scale of the property makes it suitable for institutional uses such as training or post-secondary education, should opportunities arise in the future.
“That’s not something we’re announcing today,” Saumure said. “But it’s the kind of conversation you have when you’re planning decades ahead.”
Any education-related use would depend on external partners, funding and provincial approvals.
Heritage easement adds complexity
Redevelopment efforts are complicated by an existing heritage easement held by the Ontario Heritage Trust, which applies to portions of the property.
Saumure said the easement restricts changes to several buildings and adds layers of review to the planning process.
“We respect the history here, but this is not a museum,” Saumure said. “We are trying to adapt a 75-year-old institutional complex into something people actually want to live in.”
He said discussions with the Heritage Trust are ongoing and focused on preserving select exterior elements while allowing flexibility elsewhere to support modern housing standards, including energy efficiency and accessibility.
“We are not trying to erase the past,” Saumure said.
Haines said heritage restrictions can affect everything from building design to construction sequencing.
“When you are redeveloping at this scale, every additional approval step matters,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Saumure said the Town of Smiths Falls has been supportive throughout the process.
“Contrary to popular belief, the Town of Smiths Falls staff and council are second to none in eastern Ontario,” Saumure said. “Second to none.”
Naming the site and next steps
For now, the property is being referred to by its civic address, 361 Queen St., while a permanent name is still under consideration. Saumure said “Rideau View Commons” has been discussed, but no decision has been finalized.
“We’re open to suggestions,” he said.
The former Gallipeau Centre has a long and complex history, having operated for decades as a provincial care facility before transitioning to mixed residential and commercial uses. Saumure said reshaping both the site and how it is perceived will take time.
“This is about creating a place people choose to live,” he said. “I may eventually live here myself.”
Looking further into the future, Saumure said the long-term vision is to transform the property into a complete, self-sustaining community. Over time, that could include neighbourhood-scale commercial services such as a grocery store, pharmacy and gas station.
“The goal is to create a place where people can live, work and access services without having to leave the site,” he said, describing the concept as a village that evolves alongside residential growth.
Further details on future phases and potential tenants are expected as planning and approvals advance. Watch Hometown News as plans unfold.
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