The Arrowhead Centre housing project officially opened its doors last Saturday as the one-year anniversary of the 2010 Olympic Games quickly approaches.
The provincial government and community partners celebrated the opening of the Olympic Legacy affordable housing project in Sechelt, which is a $3.7-million development featuring eight affordable rental apartments and support services for people living with mental health issues, who are at risk of homelessness in the community.
"The legacy of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games continues to deliver benefits to British Columbians," said Rich Coleman, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Minister responsible for Housing.
"The Arrowhead Centre will provide those with mental health issues at risk of homelessness with access to safe, supportive housing in the community of Sechelt."
The province contributed $2.73 million to reconfigure the modular homes, which once housed Olympic and Paralympic athletes, into a two-storey building with eight apartments. A provincial gaming grant of approximately $100,000 helped fund the renovation of the adjacent former RCMP building into the Arrowhead Clubhouse, where support services and programs to the tenants will be delivered. The province will provide the Sunshine Coast Community Services Society with annual funding for operations and support services.
The government of Canada provided the land to the District of Sechelt through the surplus federal real property for homelessness initiative.
The District leased the land, valued at $680,000, to the province while Lehigh Materials and local community builders provided approximately $165,000 through donations, in-kind materials and labour.
Sunshine Coast Community Services Society (SCCSS) will manage and operate the eight rental homes. SCCSS, Arrowhead Centre Society and Vancouver Coastal Health - Mental Health and Addiction Services - Sunshine Coast will provide support services for residents as well as community programs at the newly renovated clubhouse. Arrowhead Centre Society has been successful in raising more than $40,000 to support start-up and program operations.
"We are thankful for our partnership with all levels of government, local individuals and businesses as well as our operational partners for making this project a reality," said Gloria Lifton, board president of Sunshine Coast Community Services Society. "Thanks to this partnership, people with mental health issues in the Sunshine Coast community will be able to live in affordable, supportive housing near their family and friends."
