Work on The Elizabeth retirement community continues but committee members and community partners took the opportunity to celebrate the progress of the future low-income seniors housing complex on March 23 with a brick smashing event.
Dignitaries, including Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer, City of Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench, Elizabeth Place committee member Jordan Bergermann, and Tyler Stewart, President and CEO of Stewart Properties, all had the opportunity to talk about the project before literally taking some swings at the last remaining piece of wall needing to be taken out for the renovations.
The former 28,000 sq. ft. convent, and current construction site, was open for tours with teams on track to make the 26 unit affordable housing facility open to residents by mid-summer 2018, says Stewart.
Everyone is expected back for the future grand opening of the building once it is completed, he says.
The last of the Elizabethan sisters moved out of the convent around 2012 with a group of individuals seeing the opportunity the building could provide for seniors housing in the area.
City of Humboldt Mayor Rob Muench spoke as well during the brick smashing saying council made the decision to take on the property and what a great decision it was.
It has been five years since the work has started, says original committee member and chair, Agnus Pratchler, and they have come a long way with a small idea.
Without the Sisters of St. Elizabeth, there would not be great healthcare in the area, and neither would the convent be an innovative and creative option for seniors housing 107 years later, says Pratchler.
It took a lot of patience and faith to bring the project to fruition, says Stewart, but he was willing to constantly provide that reassurance to anyone who asked, from community members to government officials.
“We were asked throughout the process, what’s our motivation, why are we doing this?...We’d tell people, we’re not just rejuvenating a building; it’s a wonderful readapt to use project, but what we’re rejuvenating is the spirit of community,” says Stewart.
Stewart’s team mobilized in January to begin constructing inside the building and it has been a blur ever since, he says, with things moving very quickly and on time.
Support for the project is coming in both directions, says Stewart, with unparalleled support from the community and Stewart focused on bringing in local suppliers for their renovation needs.
However, none of this would have happened without the continued work of the committee, especially the original members that started with the idea; Pratchler, Patricia and Celine Bley, and Audrey Maier.
Harpauer reminisced about members of the committee visiting her in 2013-2014 with the inkling of ideas for the project.
“It was an exciting idea and these women were so determined and look where they’ve taken it now. We owe them a great deal of gratitude.”
Because of the work of the committee, Kay Michel and Ramona Classen will be moving into their new home in a few months.
They were asked to speak on behalf of the grateful residents who will be calling the residence home.
While Classen is nervous about revising her table and house manners, she and Michel say they are beyond ecstatic for their new home and the work that has gone into making the dream a reality.
Both governments contribute funding to Elizabeth
Through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), federal and provincial governments are jointly contributing $1 million to the Elizabeth project with Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Social Services Minister and Minister Responsible for the
Saskatchewan Housing Corporation (SHC) Paul Merriman announcing the funding opportunity with a Saskatchewan government press release that corresponded with the brick smashing celebration.
“Together with partners from the province, we listened to the needs of the community and earmarked funding to kick-start this innovative project,” says Goodale in a Saskatchewan government press release. “Initiatives like this create jobs and help stimulate local economies, all while giving seniors more access to safe, affordable housing options close to their families and friends.”
“I am pleased that the Elizabeth will allow seniors to live safely and comfortably in Humboldt, in homes that meet their needs,” said Merriman in the release. “The repurposing of the Elizabeth is also a creative way to use existing space to meet a real need in the community.”
