The Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors (SRAR), akin to a thriving family outgrowing its home, recently embarked on a significant and strategic relocation. For some time, the need for a more expansive and modern facility had been clear, a sentiment that culminated last October with the acquisition of a new, spacious building. This new property not only met the demanding requirements of its active membership but also provided an optimal working environment for its dedicated staff of 10. The move to the impressive premises at 1705 McKercher Drive was officially celebrated this spring, marking a pivotal moment in SRAR’s history and setting the stage for decades of future growth and enhanced service delivery within the vibrant Saskatoon real estate market.
This state-of-the-art facility is poised to play a crucial role beyond SRAR’s immediate needs. From January 2020, it will proudly serve as the central-north office for the new provincial real estate body, underscoring its strategic importance within Saskatchewan’s broader real estate landscape. This dual functionality highlights the building’s capacity to foster collaboration and consolidate resources across the province, making it a true hub for real estate professionals.
The inviting lobby of the new SRAR building, symbolizing a fresh chapter for the association.
The previous SRAR location, situated on Saskatoon’s bustling Eighth Street, was successfully sold for a substantial sum. This financially astute decision enabled a remarkable upgrade, transforming the association’s operational footprint from a modest 3,700 square feet to an expansive and versatile space exceeding 13,000 square feet. This dramatic increase in square footage addressed pressing issues, particularly for the staff who had previously endured cramped conditions, often sharing limited office spaces. Now, each team member benefits from their own dedicated workspace, fostering enhanced productivity, comfort, and a greater sense of professionalism.
Jason Yochim, the visionary CEO of SRAR, articulated the critical necessity behind the relocation. “We frequently had to conduct some of our essential meetings and vital training sessions off-site due to a lack of adequate facilities,” Yochim explained. “Furthermore, parking was severely limited, posing a constant inconvenience for both staff and visiting members. We recognized that the exposure offered by being on a perpetually busy street was no longer a primary requirement, especially when we could capitalize significantly on the return from the sale of the old building. This strategic move enabled us to effectively triple our operational footprint, providing the space necessary to truly support our growing membership and evolving services.”
Upon entering the new SRAR building, visitors are immediately greeted by an impressive and spacious lobby, leading into an open and welcoming reception area. From this central point, well-designed hallways stretch left, right, and towards the rear of the building, guiding members and guests to various departments and facilities. The building’s construction emphasizes both comfort and functionality, boasting superior insulation and exceptional acoustics throughout. Even the expansive, window-rimmed boardroom, which offers commanding views of the main street, remains remarkably quiet, providing an ideal environment for focused discussions. This modern boardroom is perfectly designed to comfortably accommodate a board of 12 members, ensuring that critical decisions can be made in a serene and professional setting.
Beyond the executive spaces, the new facility features a generously sized auditorium, complete with an adjacent, fully-equipped kitchen. This versatile space is capable of hosting up to 200 members in a theatre-style setup, perfect for large-scale presentations, seminars, and industry events. When configured for banquets, it can comfortably accommodate 110 guests, making it an ideal venue for networking functions, awards ceremonies, and member appreciation events. Further enhancing its educational capabilities, a former indoor garage has been ingeniously converted into a modern classroom, outfitted with 20 comfortable seats, providing a dedicated space for hands-on training and workshops. Additionally, another smaller, dedicated meeting room offers an excellent setting for intimate group discussions, collaborative projects, and one-on-one consultations, catering to a diverse range of member needs.
In total, the building boasts 20 individual offices, eight of which are currently occupied by SRAR’s dedicated staff members. The sheer scale and thoughtful design of the new premises have strategically allowed SRAR to lease out a significant portion of the available space. A key tenant is the Association of Saskatchewan Realtors (ASR), whose co-location offers profound advantages. “The sheer convenience of having the Saskatchewan group located right here is immense,” Yochim elaborated. “It facilitates informal interactions, streamlined joint meetings, and significantly enhances our ability to share vital resources and expertise.” Critically, Yochim also noted that having these strategic tenants has “enabled us to make this monumental move without the need to increase our membership fees,” a testament to the association’s prudent financial planning and commitment to its members.
Yochim also expressed his profound satisfaction with the building’s exceptional level of comfort and its positive impact on the work environment. “My staff is incredibly important to me, and it’s truly gratifying to see them enjoying such a comfortable and conducive workspace,” he affirmed. This emphasis on staff well-being translates directly into improved morale, productivity, and ultimately, better service for SRAR members.
The new location offers enhanced convenience and accessibility for both staff and visiting members alike. The meticulously designed parking lot provides 20 dedicated spots for staff and an additional 20 stalls specifically reserved for visitors, eliminating the frustrations associated with inadequate parking. Furthermore, considerable street parking is readily available in the vicinity, and an adjacent overflow parking area can easily accommodate additional vehicles during larger meetings or special events, ensuring that accessibility is never an impediment to participation.
A truly forward-thinking aspect of the new building is its original construction, which was engineered to support the addition of a second floor. This foresight is a deliberate nod to the 108-year-old organization’s anticipated future growth. “My personal vision was always that we would acquire a space that not only met our immediate needs but also provided ample room for future expansion,” Yochim declared. “This building is not merely a solution for the next five to ten years; it is designed to serve our needs for future decades, evolving in tandem with the growth of our city and the continued expansion of our membership.”
Yochim further emphasized, “We are genuinely thinking forward, anticipating the evolution into an even larger organization, and firmly believe that this location will optimally serve the entire real estate region of the province.” To realize this ambitious vision, it was paramount that the building be meticulously outfitted with cutting-edge technology. This advanced infrastructure is crucial for seamlessly connecting with members both locally within Saskatoon and across the vast expanse of the province, facilitating efficient meetings, robust educational programs, and continuous professional development. Yochim proudly highlighted that the SRAR membership and the Board of Directors demonstrated overwhelming support for this transformative move, underscoring a collective commitment to progress.
Gary Busch, the esteemed Board President and owner/broker of Century 21 Fusion, echoed Yochim’s sentiments, affirming the move’s absolute necessity and praising its remarkably smooth execution. “At our old location, we literally had offices tucked away inside other offices; space was at a premium,” Busch recounted. “We’ve experienced significant growth in our staff numbers, expanded the range and quality of our services, and we simply had to find a suitable home for all of this growth.”
Busch also pointed to the opportune timing of the relocation. “In addition, it was an ideal time to buy low—the commercial real estate market was notably soft—and we were incredibly fortunate to acquire a fantastic building that perfectly suits our current needs and, crucially, our future requirements for many years to come.”
The integration of advanced technology specifically for training purposes was another critical priority for Busch. “Here, we now have dedicated visual equipment permanently set up, enabling individuals who are not physically in Saskatoon to participate fully and effectively in our training sessions and meetings. That capability was truly key,” he stressed. “Looking to the future, this was undeniably the perfect building, offering ideal classrooms, ample parking, versatile meeting spaces, and comfortable offices, all achieved at a minimal expense to get it fully up to speed and operational.” The new SRAR facility stands as a testament to foresight, strategic investment, and an unwavering commitment to serving the evolving needs of its members and the broader real estate community across Saskatchewan.
Joanne Paulson is a distinguished writer, editor, and principal of JCP Communications, based in Saskatoon. She meticulously submitted this comprehensive article on behalf of the Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors (SRAR), capturing the essence and significance of their landmark relocation.