ELDER PARENT HOUSING

Seniors Village Update - September 2009

If you have been living on Cortes and would like your off-island parent(s) to live on the island too, then inquire on their behalf about affordable year-round housing in the newly completed Seniors Village.

All cottages include a full set of energy-star appliances, in-suite washer/dryer, propane fireplace, in-floor hot water heating, storage room, thermo-pane windows, and are well insulated for affordable winter utilities.

Located in uptown Mansons, within easy 1-block walking distance of the Health Centre, Community Hall, Bank, Post Office, Library, Lake, shops and restaurants. These 1-bedroom cottages are available on annual leases for just $520/month or $650/month depending on unit size.

This adult-oriented community was built by the Cortes Island Seniors Society to provide affordable housing for seniors. However, units will be made available to those of a younger age if qualified seniors have not applied. Priority consideration for occupancy will be given to the following persons:

a) those who are fifty-five years of age and older;
b) Canadian citizens or landed immigrants;
c)  those who have lived on or have a strong family connection to Cortes;
and
d) those whose present housing is inadequate for their physical needs and
psychological well-being.

Cottage tours by appointment only. Contact Jim at 935-0084 or Ruth at 935-6478 for more information.

GOOD NEWS

FROM THE CORTES ISLAND SENIORS SOCIETY (CISS)

Seniors Village Update - July 2009

Some cottages at the Seniors Village are still available for year-round rental accommodations.  Each 1-bedroom cottage includes: all new energy efficient kitchen appliances, washer & dryer, in-floor hot water heating, emergency lighting, propane fireplace, tiled bathrooms, storage room and outdoor patio.  Winter utility costs will be very reasonable thanks to upgraded insulation throughout and thermopane windows.

Preference will be given to adults in need of affordable housing. Consideration will also be given to relatives of Cortes residents. Of the six buildings, four are approximately 710 square feet and rent for $650; the other two cottages are approximately 560 square feet with a rent of $520.

Contact Jim Hentschel at 935-0084 or Ruth Zwickle at 935-6478 for more
information or a cottage tour.

Seniors Village Update - June 2008

The CISS is delighted to announce the construction of six housing units for seniors. The buildings are now at the lock-up stage and should be ready for occupancy by end April 2009. Of the six four are approximately 710 square feet and will rent for $650; the other two are approximately 560 square feet with a rent of $520.

Priority consideration for occupancy will be given to the following persons: a) those who are fifty-five years of age and older; b) Canadian citizens or landed immigrants; c) those who have lived on Cortes for at least three years immediately prior to their application; and d) those whose present housing is inadequate for their physical needs and psychological well-being.

If they have not already done so interested parties should request applications and background information by contacting Sue Ellingsen at tel 250-935-6545. A committee of the Seniors Board will meet to select successful applicants by no later than end January 2009.

Our Vision

The CISS envisages a small community of independent occupants in individual dwelling units, with full utilities and conveniences, easy access, pleasant surroundings, and closeness to most of the island’s social facilities. The site will be developed gradually, beginning small, but with expansion available and expected, in response to need. The CISS residential project is not intended to provide home care, but will be designed for private and independent living, without the responsibility of large dwellings and properties. It will provide a supportive and sociable neighbourhood, at as low a rental to the residents as possible.

The area will be landscaped and maintained. There will be vehicle access, parking and paths. Residents will have the opportunity to have garden of their own, if so inclined.

As well as dwelling units, a recreation building is intended as a Seniors’ Centre, to be located between the Health Centre and the houses. It is a secondary project, to follow the establishment of some dwellings. The Seniors’ Centre could have games space, meeting rooms, a reading room, a hobby room, kitchen facilities, as well as office space for the CISS. A Seniors’ Centre would become a popular gathering place, and provide relief to the crowding of Manson’s Hall – but it will come a little later.

The CISS is already canvassing for possible residents, and interest has been expressed by some people. We are aware of the experience of other communities where such undertakings are in progress. Hornby Island, North Pender Island and Quadra Island all report that when such accommodation becomes available, it is snapped up. The project is something that will fit in very well with the growing and diversifying Cortes community. It is imaginative, exciting and useful! It will provide comfort and convenience, and lessen the cares of elders living there. We want to hear from people who might be interested in taking up residence in such a community.

Lock Up

As of November 2008, the Seniors Village is close to LockUp stage. If you are interested in the progress, please click on the “Village Photos” on your left. The next step is the finishing inside the buildings. We are still looking for donations...

Sue Ellingsen 935 6545 susandy@twincomm.ca
Peter Elliott 935 6605 ynystref@oberon.ark.com
Ralph Nursall 935 6620 jralph@twincomm.ca

The grant

VICTORIA – A $380,000 grant from the Province’s Housing Endowment Fund is enabling the Cortes Island Seniors Society to begin the construction of six new cottages for seniors.

“These homes will provide Islanders with high quality and affordable seniors’ housing,” said Minister responsible for Housing, Rich Coleman. “The Province invested $250 million in the Housing Endowment Fund so organizations such as the Cortes Island Seniors Society can try innovative new programs that are not traditionally available for funding.”  Read more...

A LITTLE HISTORY - How it all started

By Sue Ellingsen

I remember years ago a lot of discussion about senior’s housing.  This is because Andy and I had always spent summers on Cortes, and much time with May and Elmer Ellingsen.  They were always movers and shakers when it came to community projects.  It feels to me like centuries ago but with the help of Lynne Jordan and access to the archives I have been able to place it at a mere two decades back.

At the June, 1987 meeting of the Old Age Pensioners Organization, Don Mainwaring and his partners presented the deed to the CISS property on Beasley Road to the then president, Joan Disney, for the sum of $1.00.  I have no OAPO material in my files but I do have the record of the incorporation of the Cortez Island Seniors Building Society (the precursor to CISS) in June, 1987.  I understand that this name was formally adopted because it was the belief of the board that it might be easier to procure funds if the name reflected a specific objective – building.  Sadly, this was not the case.  Much effort went into the project particularly in the form of donated materials.  These sat for a number of years before the group conceded that the project was not going to proceed.  Fortunately for CISS the materials were sold before they deteriorated and the proceeds were placed in term deposits.  So, these funds along with other donations and profits from fund raisers await our new plans.  The project might have been delayed but we have to thank those earlier members of OAPO and CISBS for having put us in good stead to proceed now.

With costs having risen drastically in recent years, we find that we are short some $40,000 to $50,000 to complete the site preparation.  This will include project design, clearing, road building, burying of pipes to deliver hydro, telephone and water to each unit, and installation of the septic system.  The Property Development Committee has made a decision on a septic system and work on that will begin soon.  Ralph Nursall was finally able to procure a donation for our ring road of some 150 cubic yards of gravel from the Ministry of Highways, to be delivered for us from their pit on Beasley Road.  This work is largely completed.  We are most appreciative of this generous donation, of the timely and precise delivery by the Emcon crew, and of all the help John Vosper continues to donate to the project.

A subcommittee of the Property Development Committee headed by David Rousseau has spent many hours designing three different units, a bachelor, one bedroom and two bedroom plan, ranging in size from about 500 to 750 square feet.  These plans will be ready soon for viewing by the membership and will be of special interest to those individuals who have indicated an interest in residing in them.

Michael Hoskin has spent hours crunching figures and producing a business plan with the help of David’s cost estimates for labour and materials, and has obtained a commitment from Quadra Credit Union for financing.  We would like to complete the site preparation without borrowing, and are inviting donations to CISS for this purpose.  This will allow us to keep the eventual rents as reasonable as possible.

If you wish to make a donation at this time, it can be sent to treasurer Peter Elliott at Box 212, Manson’s Landing, BC, V0P 1K0.  Donations over $25 will receive a tax receipt.