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Seniors housing plan in works for 120-unit Sundre facility
Mountain View Seniors’ Housing (MVSB) will be putting together a seniors housing and care project concept plan for a Sundre facility, say officials.
The plan will prepare the MVSH board for a potential funding application for a 120-unit Sundre seniors facility, said Sam Smalldon, CAO of MVSH.
The units would be for all levels of supportive living, from independent to 4 SL-D.
Last week, the MVSH board passed a motion approving the spending of up to $50,000 for the preparation of the plan, which will include details of the type of units, estimated costs, drawings and other things.
Funding for the preparation of the plan has been budgeted by MVSH, which is a non-profit organization and registered charity that operates seniors’ lodges, seniors’ self-contained apartments and subsidized family housing in Carstairs, Sundre, Olds and Didsbury.
The Sundre Seniors’ Community Housing and Care Committee (SSHCC), a Town of Sundre committee, which includes community members, has been working with MVSH in examining the future seniors housing needs in Sundre.
A recent SSHCC survey found that there is a need for more seniors housing in Sundre at all levels, said chairperson Charlotte McInnes.
She said she is pleased the MVSH will be moving ahead with the preparations of the plan.
“This is quite a big step because to do anything with the government you have to have a partner, and MVSH has agreed to partner with us,” said McInnes.
A location for a new five-acre facility in Sundre has not been chosen, and won’t be chosen until grant money is available.
“There are a couple of possible locations in town, but we can’t put out the money for land until we know we can get the grants,” she said. “We need the grants first.”
There may be a public meeting held after the concept plan is prepared, she said
A request for proposals could come from the provincial government as early as June, said Smalldon.
“We think we have very good chance for provincial funding,” said Smalldon.
Once the Sundre project concept plan is ready, and the MVSH board has successfully obtained provincial funding, a completed project could take up to four years for planning and construction, he said.
“To this point, the MVSH board is proceeding with careful due diligence to make sure any future projects are based on solid demand and verifiable needs, and any potential project has solid community involvement and support,” he said.
McInnes says she would like to hear from anyone with questions about plans to bring a new seniors facility to town. Her phone number is 1-403-638-3542.
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