Architectural rendering of entrance to Gateway Retirement Community

The plan to rezone part of the piece of property now known as Ron Brent Park has moved one step closer to being cleared for the construction of the “Gateway Retirement Centre.” Prince George City Council has approved the 3^rd reading of the bylaw which will rezone some of the property at 20^th and Victoria from park, recreation , education (P-1) to URM-6 (independent living) and P-1.

The City’s Manager of Development Services, Dan Milburn, says the project is suitable for this site as it is located close to medical services, and will help revive the neighbourhood. 

The sale of the property is broken down in two phases. 

The City sold the land for the first phase for $1.496 million dollars for  the 3.74 acres.

The sale also gives Spectrum/Chartwell an option to buy the 2.9 acres for phase 2, for a full five years after phase one is complete. The price for the second phase of property  is $1.19 million.

The sale is conditional on re-zoning and the enviromental impact of  phase one .

At the public hearing for the re-zoning application, area resident Pearl Seibel has lived in that neighbourhood for 14 years and has 40 years experience in health care, a great many of those years spent as a care aid for seniors care. She says the area is not a quiet area and although the City suggests there would still be parkland available, she doubts there would be enough left for any real play. Mrs. Seibel implored Council to re-think the site as she said "We seniors are not a commodity to stack as high and tight as you can.  Please let us live out our years somewhere quiet and peaceful."

The facility will provide a total of 175 suites, in the first phase. The suites will be a mix of complex care and assisted living units with about 2/3 of the units funded by Northern Health.  The developers say 50 of the assisted units are to be funded by Northern Health, but there are discussions underway to see if a further 28 units could be funded  by Northern Health making 78 units designed for seniors who need  subsidized housing.

The developer, Spectrum Seniors Housing Development is the development arm of Chartwell Senior Housing Real Estate Investment Trust. Chartwell will manage the facility once it is completed.  Phase one could be completed in May of 2008.

The second phase has the potential for a further 146 suites.

In supporting the project, here are some of the comments made by Councilors:

• Bassermann:  This will help create a positive economic engine, in keeping 350 incomes in the community
• Skakun:  Positive move for the community and will increase property values in the area
• Zurowski:  allows for community renewal,  and he sees a positive interface between seniors and youth.
• Krause: Sometimes when change is happening, people are concerned, but we have seen through time the developments have a positive impact on neighbourhoods.  I think it is a very positive project.
• Gratton:  More and more of our seniors have the opportunity to stay in Prince George,  I do wish a project of this sort would be built on the Hart, we would welcome it with open arms
• Munoz: an absolutely beautiful residence and allows people to stay in their home community with their family and friends
• Mayor Kinsley: thanks to Northern Health for helping us develop this, and to the developers for choosing our City.  We have witnessed in the past not only the loss of seniors, but their families. This is a good news story.