Business partners Dale Allenback and Denis Goulah unveiled their plans for a 227-unit congregate care seniors' housing project Wednesday evening in Sechelt. Those in attendance were handed questionnaires and had the opportunity to speak with Allenback and Goulah about the project.
"The open house went reasonably well, with residents having obvious questions," said Allenback in a follow-up interview on Thursday morning. "And we weren't disappointed," he added.
Local resident Hannah Damtoft said she liked the look of the project when asked by Coast Reporter at the open house.
"I love the courtyard and the green space and that there is a variety of unit sizes to choose from," Damtoft said. "But I'm concerned about bus transportation. You may feel isolated among seniors without contact with other age groups."
Allenback says there are plans to have a 22-passenger shuttle service on site, to take residents to town.
Jon Bell, a small farm owner on Mason Road, was also at the open house to check out the project.
"I'm concerned that development is moving ahead without respect to the residents and without respect to agricultural land," Bell said.
Davis Bay resident Sunny Jones said the project would be an asset to the community.
"This is definitely needed in the community," said Jones. "We've been waiting a long time for this. Seniors don't want to just go to a care home."
Results from the questionnaire showed a 68.8 per cent vote in favour of the project, with 46 residents having signed in at the meeting. "Overall, the general feeling from the community is positive," said Allenback.
The next step for Allenback and Goulah is the District of Sechelt planning meeting next week, where they will present their idea to the committee. If all goes well at planning, then the proponents hope first and second readings of development bylaws would go to Sechelt council later in the month with a public hearing to follow around the beginning of October.
