It is a milestone in the 10+ years of volunteer effort by the board members of the Christina Lake Seniors Housing Society: the current board is submitting an expression of interest to BC Housing for a 16-unit affordable rental apartment building that will be designed for seniors aged 55+ who can live independently.
In a recent press release, the society (CLSHS) explained it is proposing it will be built on Sandner Frontage Road, across from the Community Park, between the Christina Lake Medical Clinic and Huckleberry Market.
No supportive services will be offered at this point, but the building will be designed to allow seniors to age-in-place and to have a commercial kitchen at some future date. The building includes a large dining/multipurpose room, several comfortable seating areas on the first and second floor, and an elevator.
If successful in receiving a grant from BC Housing under their Provincial Investment in Affordable Housing Program, the society will be offering one- and two-bedroom apartments at the CMHC scheduled affordable rates of $825/month for a one-bedroom unit and $1,000/month for a two-bedroom unit.
The CLSHS board anticipates having a response from BC Housing on the expression of interest proposal by mid-September.
The current board of the Christina Lake Seniors Housing Society are: Kathy O’Malley, president; Jeff Olsen, vice-president; Terry Mooney, secretary; Ron Liddle, treasurer; Randy Gniewotta, chairperson of the development and construction committee; Ted Harrison, Liz Smith, Pat Walker, Lucie Ackles, and Carlo Crema.
RDKB Area C/Christina Lake Director Grace McGregor, MLA Linda Larson and MP Richard Cannings showed their support for the project.
“The current board wants to thank all the previous board members of the CLSHS since it began in 2009,” read the press release. “We recognize that we were only able to quickly respond to BC Housing’s call for expression of interest because of all the hard work by the many volunteers from previous boards.”