Seniors in need of affordable living space rejoice. The second phase of North Ridge Place is now in the preparation stage after years of negotiations and struggles for funding. The Sturgeon Foundation, the owner and operator of a variety of seniors living facilities, has recently put out a tender for a contractor.
Phase 2 will include 42 independent-living suites on a budget of $9 million, $7.9 million of which has been pledged from the province.
Dennis Magnusson, the executive director of the foundation, said that people should anticipate construction to commence before the end of next month, and none too soon. Demand has been high ever since phase 1 opened six years ago and it hasn’t waned one bit.
“The demand is there,” he said. “When the first phase was built, not only did people who were on the waiting list want to come in but people from outside the area became aware that this facility was there so there are people who would like to move to a city like St. Albert because all of the services are there.”
The Sturgeon Foundation manages housing facilities for seniors including independent living apartments, supportive living lodge, and affordable housing apartments.
North Ridge Place phase 1 has 48 units in a four-storey building. It’s the only facility under the affordable housing category for the organization. It’s located on Mont Clare Place right next to North Ridge Lodge, one of the foundation’s two supportive living lodges in the city. North Ridge Place phase 2 will be built right next to its phase 1 predecessor and is expected to include 42 units and be completed by next fall.
Right now, the waitlist for all of the foundation’s accommodation spaces is approximately 140-people long, half of which is for low-income housing.
“This place will be filled very quickly once it’s complete,” Magnusson continued. “There is a need to build more affordable housing not just for seniors but for the community. There is a need for more lodge facilities… and there’s a need for more care facilities in St. Albert.”
He ended by saying that this project will use up all of the available space on that property, and that the Sturgeon Foundation hopes to work with the city to have other land designated for more accommodation facilities to be built in the future.
Groundbreaking will likely take place in September once the contract is awarded.
Coun. Wes Brodhead, who represents the city on the foundation’s board, is quite pleased with the progress.
“It’s a good news story. The need for affordable housing is in almost every age demographic … there’s enough work to go around to every agency that exists. In terms of seniors affordable housing, the need is significant here in St. Albert. While 42 units won’t meet the immediate need, it’s a step in the right direction. The need is becoming more and more acute.”
The $9 million construction cost just covers the structure, the Sturgeon Foundation is set to host a fundraising event with Tommy Banks next month to help cover the cost of appliances, drapery, laundry equipment and furnishings for common room areas. People can visit www.sturgeonfoundation.ca for more details.
