The ground was broken on a 112-unit affordable housing building for seniors in downtown Kamloops.
Located at 6th and Victoria, the building will have studio, one, and two bedroom units, and it will be the first to be managed by the Centre for Seniors Information.
Operations Manager Brenda Prevost says construction is expected to get underway this week.
“One of the things that will slow us down is how quickly winter sets in,” she said. “If that happens and we can’t lay foundations, in that it may postpone it to early spring. The developer [Stoni Flats Developments] that’s going to be doing this project are extremely knowledgeable and they will move this project ahead as quickly as they can.”
The society is getting $11.2 million from the province as well as annual operating funding for the project.
Kamloops Mayor Ken Christian says the city is proud to support the project.
“This project is in a great location and close to the many wonderful amenities downtown,” he said. “We are pleased that valued senior members and families in our community will be offered an affordable place to call home.”
The government says 22 units will be studio and one bedroom suites for seniors with low incomes at a rent of $375 a month. 56 suites will be one bedroom units for for seniors with low to moderate incomes at a monthly rent of $700.
The other 34 suites will be middle-income units, at $1,000 a month for one bedroom, and $1,200 a month for one of the twelve two-bedroom units.
Prevost is hoping this will not be their last housing project.
“You know we will be looking at down the road, the development of more housing with this development company and CSI,” she said. “So I think this is just the beginning. You can’t help but be excited. It’s a great project to be having in the downtown location.”
And she says the location at 6th and Victoria is ideal.
“I know that lots of developers over the years have been looking at this location and attempting to purchase it from the previous owner. So it sat here for many years, and I think we were just at the right place at the right time.”
The building is expected to be ready by Fall 2020.
