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
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
WHO likely to issue wider alert on contaminated cough syrup
The World Health Organization is likely to issue a wider warning about contaminated Johnson and Johnson-made children's cough syrup found in Nigeria last week, it said in an email.
WATCH Video shows dramatic police takedown of carjacking suspects chased through parking lot north of Toronto
Police have released video footage of a dramatic takedown of a group of teens wanted in connection with an attempted carjacking in Markham earlier this month.
Canada, G7 urge 'all parties' to de-escalate in growing Mideast conflict
Canada called for 'all parties' to de-escalate rising tensions in the Mideast following an apparent Israeli drone attack against Iran overnight.
'It was all my savings': Ontario woman loses $15K to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Families to receive Canada Child Benefit payment on Friday
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.