The proposed site for Cookie's Place, near the Maverick and Beijing Restaurant in Aberdeen. (Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds)

By Dylana Kneeshaw

SENIORS HOUSING

Proposed seniors housing project in Aberdeen headed to public hearing

Feb 27, 2020 | 4:58 PM

KAMLOOPS — This week, Kamloops city council voted to send plans for a new seniors housing project to a public hearing.

ASK Wellness Kamloops, alongside BC Housing, is aiming to build 37 units of affordable housing for seniors in the Aberdeen area.

Should it be approved, the building would be constructed in the same lot at the Maverick housing facility, and Beijing Restaurant. To qualify, applicants would have to be 55 years and older, on a low to moderate income, and able to live independently.

ASK Executive Director Bob Hughes says this project would be different than the existing operation in the former Maverick Inn building.

BC Votes

STREAMING: Kamloops All-Candidates Forums

6h ago

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Someone finally takes the lead in reducing plastics

Sep 29, 2024

Week in Review

Week in Review: Week of Sept. 23

Sep 28, 2024

“There’s no support services. This is literally long term rental housing,” he explains. “Not a program in any way, these are where people will literally be able to age in place.”

With a grocery store opening nearby, Hughes says the location will be a good fit for the build.

If the building is able to proceed, Hughes says ASK has decided to name it after Cookie Reimer, a founding member of the ASK Wellness Society, and longtime community volunteer and advocate.

“She’s won the community volunteer award before, and she’s just a wonderful, wonderful woman in this community,” says Hughes. “So we’re just really honoured to name this building, if we’re able to proceed with it — Cookie’s Place.”

Rendering of the potential build, provided by ASK Wellness Kamloops / CHP Architects

Hughes notes that the approximately $8 million cost to develop would come in part from BC Housing, with operation costs assisted by the Community Housing Fund, which allows ASK Wellness to have rental rates at 30 per cent of a tenant’s income.

“When you’re 55-odd years-old and think ‘Well I still want to work part time or even full time, but I can’t afford $1,200 a month for a market rental’,” Hughes says, “I mean 37 is not a lot of units. We could fill this building tomorrow. Obviously it takes the journey through the rezoning, the public hearing, completion of the budget process, but I’d love to see this project in the ground by June of this year.”

An open house was held at the Maverick last week, alongside ASK going into the nearby neighbourhoods to speak with residents, and business owners about the project proposal. Hughes adds that the owner of the Beijing Restaurant has also been involved in proposal discussions, and shaping what the new parking situation would look like on the lot.

Now that it’s been brought before council, a public hearing around the proposed housing will be held March 10.