The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
A more modern facility will rise from the ashes of the former Hemlock Drive seniors apartments beginning this summer. At least that's the desire of The Manitoba Housing Authority, which will rebuild the apartments that met a fiery fate in 2002. "Requests for proposals are intended to go out within the next couple of weeks, with construction hopefully proceeding over the upcoming summer," stated an informational letter reviewed at Tuesday's Flin Flon City Council meeting. Councillor Tom Therien felt the letter wasn't definite enough, saying "it would be a little nicer if they had stronger timelines." In June 2002, the south section of the apartment complex was severely damaged by flames and subsequently demolished. The blaze did not spread to the north section, but that portion of the building was boarded up after sustaining water and smoke damage. The authority's letter went on to state that the intent is to incorporate the still-standing north section into the new facility. Last fall, the authority's Adrian De Porto met with about eight former residents of the apartment complex to discuss the rebuilding plans. De Porto told The Reminder that the new complex will be the same general size as its predecessor and will feature only one-bedroom suites Ñ no studio suites will be included. Studio suites were "a style that was used in the 1970s, when the building was built, and we're finding that tenants are now more comfortable with one-bedroom suites," said De Porto.
