More than 80 people packed the Athabasca Seniors Centre last Thursday in a show of interest for more seniors housing development in Athabasca.
Seniors, community groups and municipal representatives made an appearance at the open house.
“It is so wonderful to see so many of you here and to have this interest shown,” Athabasca County Reeve Doris Splane said, “because without your interest, this is not a project we would be pursuing.
“Your presence here today really says to us, ‘Yes, go ahead and pursue this.’”
From 2001-2011, the population of seniors in Athabasca grew from 410 people to 500, and the population is expected to continue increasing. Currently, there are only about 100 seniors suites in Athabasca.
The open house was spearheaded by county councillor Larry Armfelt and ParioPlan president Armin Preiksaitis, after Armfelt received several inquiries from residents about housing options for seniors.
Armfelt explained the open house was about a housing concept, and Preiksaitis was there to provide ideas and get the discussion going.
Preiksaitis has worked with private sector development, and rural and urban municipalities in Alberta as a land use planner for 42 years. He used seniors housing in Lacombe, Vegreville, Rocky Mountain House, Wainwright and Peace River to illustrate the possibilities for similar developments in Athabasca.
He said these locations feature meals, Alberta Health Services care, housekeeping, community gardens, enhanced safety mechanisms, indoor and outdoor social spaces, and were close to amenities and transportation. Some were also designed so additional suites could be built in the future.
Several seniors at the open house said they would like services and accommodations similar to those offered at Greater North Foundation’s Pleasant Valley Lodge (PVL), while another senior suggested adding rental suites to PVL and sharing the dining lounge.
That confused some seniors who thought that meant additional subsidized housing, but Armfelt reiterated the housing would be market-based.
Preiksaitis said rents could range from $1,200- $5,400 a month depending on services, versus $1,500-$1,800 a month for subsidized long-term care.
One woman complained that the cap on income disqualified people from subsidized housing at PVL, but paying $3,000 or more for rent would be out of reach for many people.
Other seniors had concerns about the location.
Gerald Armfelt said it would be nice to be close to PVL, but the area is far from amenities.
“I think it’s basically sorely needed in this town,” he said, “(but) I’ve seen them people up at (PVL), and it’s a hefty hike of money to get a taxi to come downtown, never mind go up to the swimming pool.
“You want these facilities to be used in the town, but if you … build the buildings for the people that are going to use them and you make it unmarketable, well, they’re not going to go there. (If) everybody has to drive, that’s going to create a lot of traffic up and down.”
Ken Smallwood, another senior, said the issue could be easily resolved with another route.
“There is an alternate access to that road, that back entrance,” he replied. “You can expand it,” Rreferring to 40 Aave.nue. and Elleffson Sstreet.
Town councillor Shelly Gurba mentioned a possible location on land near the multiplex, but the entire crowd rumbled in disagreement.
Gerald said housing along the riverfront would be an ideal.
“It would be a beautiful view, close to shopping, people could walk. You have all the amenities you need there, but man, would that ever throw a curve at the people in town,” he said with a laugh.
Gurba stated that providing facilities for seniors in Athabasca was a very important topic that town council believes in passionately.
“We think seniors need housing in many different forms, and believe that a healthy and collaborative relationship needs to exist between the council and the stakeholders, namely the seniors of this community,” she said.
Any future development would need to be in consultation between the County and the Town about locations, financing, zoning and construction.
The process from start to finish could take anywhere from two-and-a-half years to five years.
“I think the presentation was excellent and a good start and get us thinking about the ideas,” Smallwood commented. “Hopefully the town, and the county as well, will be able to run with it.”
An exit survey for what seniors would like was distributed at the open house and the results will be compiled and posted on the county website, along with Preiksaitis’ presentation, sometime in mid-June.
