River Dental Building Invests in a More Accessible Downtown

River Dental Building has been part of downtown Medicine Hat for generations.

Owned and operated by Medicine Hat Dental Holdings Ltd., the building was established in 1950 and is now home to River Dental and several other healthcare centered professional businesses, including psychologists, counsellors and massage therapists.

Its location is also one of a kind within downtown Medicine Hat.

“Downtown is the heart of the city,” notes Andrea Pillman, practice manager at River Dental. “We are the only commercial building located along the South Saskatchewan River. We are very proud to be located downtown.”

Practical Improvements with a Lasting Impact

That pride in the building and its location recently led to a new round of improvements through Medicine Hat’s City Centre Vibrancy Program (CCVP), a financial support program offered in partnership with Community Futures Entre-Corp that encourages investments into businesses within the downtown core. Eligible projects and improvements for downtown businesses include facade upgrades, signage, lighting, accessibility enhancements, and other improvements that contribute to a more welcoming and vibrant city centre.

At River Dental, their CCVP project focused on renovating two outdated washrooms. One was converted into an accessible, gender-neutral washroom, while the other became a laundry room with a utility sink. The changes were practical, but important. For health and wellness professionals, the right facilities (such as on-site laundry and/or accessible amenities) can make a major difference in whether a commercial space is suitable for their business. This is particularly true when considering the potentially unique requirements health service providers have when compared to traditional businesses. In fact, in some cases, laundry and utility areas may also be needed to meet operational or Alberta Health Services requirements.

“These improvements make our building more functional and attractive to health-focused businesses,” Andrea Pillman said. “They help us attract and retain quality tenants, support AHS requirements for certain professions and increase foot traffic in the downtown core.”

Supporting Current and Future Tenants

The funding gave the owners an opportunity to invest in the building in a way that supports both the businesses currently located there and those that may move in later.

“[Working with] Medicine Hat Economic Development allowed us to invest in our building in a way that benefits both our current and future tenants,” added Andrea Pillman.

For River Dental Building, the project was not about making a dramatic change to the outside of the property. It was about improving how the building works for day-to-day occupants, tenants, and clients. That kind of change can have a broader impact on our downtown core. When a building can accommodate a more diverse range of professionals and services, it brings more employees, patients and clients into the area. Those visitors may also stop at nearby restaurants, shops and other local businesses while they are downtown.

A Growing Downtown Business Community

The owners have already seen more locally owned businesses opening in the city centre in recent years as Medicine Hat continues to invest in revitalizing the downtown core.

“Each [new business downtown] brings something unique to the community,” commented Andrea Pillman. “These businesses add character, create connections and help make the downtown core a place where people want to visit, work and support one another.”

That mix of businesses is part of what makes downtown different from other commercial areas, beyond its central location and historical significance. Medicine Hat residents come to downtown for appointments, work, shopping, food, entertainment, events and services, often all within a few blocks. It’s the density and feel of a city centre that makes it unique, and that’s something that Medicine Hat Economic Development continues to build.

“Downtown is where businesses, professionals and the community come together to work, connect and support each other.”

Creating a Place Where People Want to Be

To River Dental, a vibrant downtown is not just a busy one. It is a place that feels welcoming and gives people a reason to spend time there. It’s more than just a location or commercial spaces, it’s a place that instills trust and a sense of community.

“A vibrant downtown core is a place where people want to live, work, shop and connect,” Andrea Pillman said. “It’s filled with thriving businesses, welcoming spaces and a strong sense of community.”

For River Dental Building, that also means being able to continue attracting health-focused tenants and providing a space where professionals can build their practices.

“It means having a place where businesses like ours can grow and contribute to the community. For River Dental Building, it means attracting health-focused professionals, supporting local businesses and creating a space where patients, tenants and the community feel connected.”

Investing in Downtown’s Future

Through the City Centre Vibrancy Program, the building’s owners were able to make improvements that will support that goal for years to come. As they put it, the program helps make downtown spaces “more functional, welcoming and attractive for businesses.” For a building that has stood downtown for more than 75 years, the renovations are a relatively small change with the potential to make a lasting difference.