Residents in Coniston excited for new 55-unit seniors complex
After nearly nine years of planning, residents in Coniston are excited that construction is finally underway on a 55-unit rental complex for seniors.
“We were so excited when the blasting started last week and we do have our apartment already picked,” said Pat Masson, who was at the site with her husband Bob on Tuesday. “We’re going to be on the second floor and we’re just waiting for everything process.”
“I feel good because I don’t have to worry about the yard anymore and just enjoy life,” said Bob Masson. “I don’t have to shovel and all that. Everything’s going to be done. I’m at the age now where I’m slowing down and we’ve made up our mind that we’re going to go this way.”
Dozens of residents showed up to 11 Elm St. on Tuesday as Nickel Belt MP Marc Serré announced a $17.95 million low-cost loan to help build the five-story building.
"The demand is high all across Greater Sudbury and northern Ontario so this is Phase 1,” said Serré. “The board has already said, ‘Marc we’re looking at more funding, we want more units, we’re looking at a recreational centre.’ So they want to develop this larger.”
Les Lisk, president of the Coniston Non-Profit Senior’s Housing Corporation, said it’s not a matter of if, but when the board starts planning more developments.
“We have all 55 units rented and there’s 10 on the waiting list and we haven’t advertised it yet,” Lisk said.
“So once it’s advertised and out there more and people will see how beautiful the units are – it’s going to be very first-class finish on all the units – we’ll have to go for another building I’m sure."
Once the first building is complete, he said it will be a lot easier to finance the second building.
"And hopefully we’ll have a community centre in between where we can have a therapy pool and that type of thing,” Lisk said.
Back in 2012, when the idea for the project first came to light, the City of Greater Sudbury helped make it possible.
“The City of Greater Sudbury provided 17.5 acres to enable this project to move forward,” said Mayor Brian Bigger.
“Since then, the city has also entered into cost-sharing agreements to help bring improved water services into Coniston and that also was required for development here. It’s already helping other development and investment in the community.”
Now, as construction continues, officials agree one of the most important things is allowing seniors the opportunity to retire where they grew up.
“There’s no other place I would rather be than in Coniston,” said Pat Masson.
“Coniston is a beautiful place, you know, the way it was at first and it’s just turned into a beautiful little town,” added Bob.
Officials said the building is also designed as a zero energy and green energy building, making it an environmentally friendly option for people to call home.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
NEW Iconic Canadian song turns 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
Oprah Winfrey: I set an unrealistic standard for dieting
Oprah Winfrey said on Thursday evening that she has long played a role in promoting unhealthy and unrealistic diets.
Prince Harry, Meghan arrive in Nigeria to champion the Invictus Games and meet with wounded soldiers
Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, arrived in Nigeria on Friday to champion the Invictus Games, which he founded to aid the rehabilitation of wounded and sick servicemembers and veterans, among them Nigerian soldiers fighting a 14-year war against Islamic extremists.
Countries struggle to draft 'pandemic treaty' to avoid mistakes made during COVID
After the coronavirus pandemic triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies and killed millions, leaders at the World Health Organization and worldwide vowed to do better in the future. Years later, countries are still struggling to come up with an agreed-upon plan for how the world might respond to the next global outbreak.
Toronto police called to Drake's Bridle Path mansion for another alleged intruder on Thursday
Toronto police say a man who allegedly attempted to access Drake’s Bridle Path property was taken to hospital on Thursday after an altercation with security guards.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Storm-battered U.S. South is again under threat. A boy swept into a drain fights for his life
Dangerous storms crashed over parts of the U.S. South on Thursday even as the region cleaned up from earlier severe weather that spawned tornadoes, killed at least three people, and gravely injured a boy who was swept into a storm drain as he played in a flooded street.