A corner of Morinville awaits its next chapter : Rick Dozois reflects on two decades of investment

By Haylee Winger

Five Acres Photography photo
At one of Morinville’s most prominent intersections, a familiar red brick building continues to
stand as a local landmark—its presence tied not only to the town’s daily traffic, but also to more
than twenty years of vision, planning, and personal investment by longtime resident Rick Dozois.
Now, after more than two decades of ownership and care, Dozois is preparing to pass the
properties on to a new steward. The offering includes three adjoining parcels located at 10002
100 Avenue, 10008 100 Avenue, and 10006 100 Street. The sale includes the buildings and land
only, while the existing businesses operating within are not part of the transaction.
Both current tenants hold long-term leases and have expressed interest in continuing their
occupancy, creating what is expected to be an attractive opportunity for stable income combined
with future redevelopment potential.
For Dozois, the decision marks the end of a long chapter rooted in both personal history and
community investment.
“It is an important corner of the community,” he said. “I’m ready to pass the torch to someone
else who can bring their own vision to this important corner of Morinville.”
Dozois’ connection to Morinville stretches back decades and follows a career that began in the
Canadian military in 1983, when he enlisted at the age of 17. Over the next sixteen and a half
years, he served across Canada in a series of postings that included Halifax, Moncton, Calgary,
Cold Lake, and Comox, describing the experience as a “roller coaster ride of postings and
lengthy overseas deployments.”
By 1999, he was ready for change.
“Military service required frequent moves and routine deployments away from Canada, and I
was looking for greater stability,” he said.
That search led him to the RCMP, where he completed recruit training in Regina and graduated
in May 2000. Hoping to return to Alberta, he requested a posting to Morinville—and received it.
“With its charm, character, proximity to Canadian Forces Base Edmonton, and easy access to
Edmonton, Morinville seemed like an ideal fit,” he said.
What followed was a long-term commitment to both policing and community building. During
his early RCMP years, Dozois also began developing residential properties as a way to balance
the demands of shift work.
“To create a healthy balance from the demands of policing, I decided to build a home for resale
during my time off,” he said.

That project led to the creation of RMK Homes Ltd., through which he would go on to build 35
homes, including 32 custom builds, the majority of them in Morinville.
It was during this period that Dozois began assembling what would become a significant
landholding at the town’s main intersection. He first purchased the historic red brick building
when it came onto the market, later acquiring the neighbouring property and then a third parcel
directly north of it.
“When the historic red brick house located at the town’s main intersection came up for sale, I
quickly purchased it,” he said. “Shortly thereafter, the neighbouring property became available,
and I acquired that as well. Later, the property immediately north of the brick house was listed
for sale, and I purchased it too.”
Together, the acquisitions formed a prominent development site at a highly visible corner of the
community.
Dozois later developed a broader commercial vision for the site, with plans for a coordinated
development intended to attract a mix of tenants. Interest emerged from several potential
occupants, including financial and retail services, but the project ultimately encountered
challenges related to municipal planning requirements and financing conditions tied to tenant
commitments.
Despite continued discussions and eventual permitting, the timing shifted. Key prospective
tenants secured alternative locations, and the full-scale development was placed on hold.
“Even with all the permitting now received, unfortunately, the original tenant interest, including
potential anchor tenants such as a financial institution and a pharmacy chain, had by then secured
alternate locations,” he said.
Rather than leave the property in its original state, Dozois turned his attention to restoration and
improvement of the existing brick building. Extensive renovations followed, including a full
interior overhaul. The original front deck was removed by his son, an event that was previously
covered in local media, and which marked one of several visible changes to the structure over the
years.
Alongside the renovations, Dozois also completed plans for a wraparound rear deck and
landscaping design, which will be included in any future sale package.
Over the past 26 years, Morinville has remained his home base, even during career transfers to
Athabasca and Fort Saskatchewan. During that time, he has watched the community evolve
through steady residential expansion and growing commercial activity.
“During the past twenty-six years, Morinville has experienced significant residential growth,” he
said. “More recently, the community has also begun to see meaningful commercial expansion.”

Now retired, Dozois and his spouse are preparing for a new chapter that will include travel and
time in warmer climates. While the transition is welcome, it also carries a sense of reflection.
“While I am excited about what lies ahead, I admit there is some sadness in leaving the work on
the old brick house unfinished as I transition fully into retirement,” he said.
Still, he remains optimistic about the town’s trajectory and the future of the property itself. The
combination of long-term tenants, strong visibility, and redevelopment potential places the site
among a limited number of comparable opportunities in the community.
Dozois has expressed a preference for a single buyer to acquire all three properties, though
separate sales may be considered depending on circumstances.
“My preference would be to see all three properties purchased by a single owner who appreciates
Morinville, values responsible development, and is prepared to play a role in shaping the future
of this important corner of town,” he said.
As the property moves toward its next chapter, its future now rests with whoever steps forward to
continue its story—whether through preservation, redevelopment, or a new vision entirely.
For Dozois, the hope is simple: that the next owner will recognize both its opportunity and its
significance at the heart of Morinville.