A new 20-unit seniors’ apartment complex on Hemlock Drive will help meet the housing demands of an aging community, Flin Flon MLA Clarence Pettersen announced Monday.
Starting in 2016, the provincial government will demolish the derelict low-income housing complex at 4 Hemlock Drive to make way for a new seniors-only facility to complement the existing seniors’ complex next door.
“As we age, we all want to live with dignity in safe communities close to our families and friends,” said Pettersen, who made the announcement in the common room of 2 Hemlock Drive. “That’s why we’re going to build a new two-storey apartment complex at 4 Hemlock Drive, right beside this building.”
The new complex, expected to open in 2017, will include 14 “accessible” units and six “highly accessible” units, he said, adding that two of the units will feature two bedrooms.
The complex will include kitchen facilities and offer shared meals, exercise programs and care support services, Pettersen said.
Since the project is now going to tender, he could not confirm the budget involved and said that figure would be known in the new year.
Residents living at the new complex will pay 27 per cent of their income as rent, the same as at 2 Hemlock.
The Reminder first confirmed plans for the complex in 2014, but until Monday’s announcement no details had been publicized.
Mayor Cal Huntley attended the announcement and offered his gratitude to the provincial government.
“I think this is wonderful,” he told Pettersen. “I think we’re all really excited about it. It’s well needed and given the timing it’s a very nice Christmas present, and we look forward to it, as you say, coming to fruition by 2017, because there is a huge demand.”
Coun. Karen MacKinnon agreed there is a strong need for the facility.
“I know there’s concern when we have local people who have been very active in this community moving south for care to live in a facility where they can have this,” she said, referring to the level of housing available at 2 Hemlock. “So without counting the numbers, we know that the need is major.”
Work will begin in the spring with the demolition of 4 Hemlock, a building the province evacuated in 2012 and declared too costly to repair.
Construction will then start immediately on the new building, Pettersen said.
The province has engaged Winnipeg-based LM Architectural Group to coordinate the demolition and design of the new complex.
While Pettersen agreed the new complex is needed, he said Flin Flon will require even more seniors’ housing. He said the government’s role is to help seniors who need financial help.
“I’ve had people say, ‘Well, we want units that have underground parking and have [other amenities],’” he said. “Well, you know what, if people want that, they’ve got to invest some of their money. …If we want other options, then we have to, as a city, as a community, look at people that want to invest in here or partner in here for something that’s bigger.”
Monday’s announcement means that Flin Flon loses the 14 low-income family units contained within 4 Hemlock. No plans to replace them have been announced.
While the province is spending $6.1 million to modernize the Aspen Grove family housing complex, this work does not add any units.
The Reminder first reported on the Aspen Grove upgrades last month.
