New seniors housing to be built at EVL site in Neepawa

Details

Published on Thursday, December 19, 2013

By: Kate Jackman-Atkinson

myWestman.ca

The redevelopment of the former East View Lodge site in Neepawa took another step forward last week with a community consultation. 

The consultation was hosted by ft3 Architects, the firm hired by NADCO to design and develop multiple units of senior housing at the site. The proposal calls for 50 units of housing.

Approximately 25 people attended the meeting, including seniors, those who work with seniors, those who had worked at East View Lodge, service clubs and municipal council members.

NADCO chair Wayne Hildebrand explained that the purpose of the meeting was to help the architects understand what they’re designing the building for, what the community wants, as well as to better understand what works and what doesn’t at that site.

In addition to the architects, also attending were the structural, mechanical and electrical engineers who will be working with ft3 on the building’s design. Hildebrand said that including them early on in the discussion should cut down on change orders and help them better understand the needs of the building’s residents.

Those in attendance were broken into teams to do some visioning for the site, including building placement and location of services such as parking. Hildebrand said that there were many similarities between the groups’ designs. Most groups put the parking for the building up the hill, at the west side of the property.

“People who had worked at East View Lodge said don’t put the parking down the hill,” said Hildebrand.
The groups had different designs for the building, but most of them positioned it in such a way as to maximize the views to the south and the east.

The groups also included in their plans different ways to connect senior housing to the broader community. Ideas included links to Riverbend Park and incorporating a toboggan hill, which was popular when the site was home to East View Lodge.

“The [East View Lodge residents] loved to watch the kids,” said Hildebrand.

Based on the meeting, Hildebrand said a few things were clear. One of which was the need to accommodate both active seniors and those needing some assisted living care. With seniors staying in their homes longer, this could mean a meal program, some minimal health care or the ability to provide personal services such as hair cuts. 

“There’s a niche that needs to be filled,” he said.

The exact mix of units is still to be determined, but a survey has been developed to gather more detailed information. The Community Seniors Housing Survey will be distributed to seniors throughout NADCO’s area and can be picked up from municipal offices.

These detailed surveys will ask respondents their age and what they’re looking for from senior housing, including number of bedrooms, whether they want a kitchen or balcony and services they want such as a meal program – all of this in an effort to get the design right, Hildebrand says.

The project has a tight timeline and Hildebrand explains that it’s because they need to meet the provincial government’s deadline for funding under the Affordable Housing Proposal call, which is expected to open in January. 

“We will be competing against 20 to 25 communities for provincial funding. We need a good proposal,” said Hildebrand.

This funding, approximately $3 million, is needed for the project to go ahead. In order to qualify for the funding, Hildebrand said that the project will be designed to fit within the province’s affordable housing guidelines. He stressed that it doesn’t mean low income housing, but merely “affordable”.

The project is expected to cost about $10.2 million with $1 million needing to be raised locally. 

Hildebrand said that they have had positive discussions with a local service club that might provide some of this funding. The remainder of the project would be financed by borrowing.

In January, there will be a public meeting that will include the presentation of some initial designs. 

Hildebrand is hoping that once people can see what the building could look like, they will get some real response from the community. He adds that they’re hoping to build awareness about the project in the community.

“We want to bring the community along as we develop,” he said.