A new housing choice in Kitimat for seniors may be on its way.
It’s called Active Living housing, the name drawing a distinction between this proposal and assisted living developments like Delta King.
And it is the first project the Kitimat Economic Development Association has taken on, this being for Strawberry Meadows owner Jack Oviatt who owns the land.
KEDA spokesman Ron Burnett explained the concept is to build a series of three-plexes with the centre one being slightly smaller for single seniors.
The units will be single storey with a six foot crawl space but all living quarters will be on the main floor.
All will have wide hallways and some kitchens will be modular so that, if someone eventually ends up in a wheelchair, cupboards can be removed so the chair can get under the counter tops.
Burnett said the entire development - planned for the land just north of the Lahakas South-Quatsino junction and adjacent to Kitimat General Hospital - will be fenced, but whether it is gated will be up to the people who buy the units.
Burnett said so far reaction has been “very favourable” with 35 locals indicating they were “seriously interested” in buying units.
The plan is to eventually have 33-36 units (11 to 12 three-plexes) but initially the plan is to build four three-plexes, the idea being that once those are built and people can see the concept, more sign ups and therefore construction will take place.
But before anything is finally decided, KEDA will be meeting with the architect to ensure his vision of the development is what people here are actually looking for.
And there will be at least two focus groups held to ensure they are on the right track.
As for the price, “very preliminary” estimates are $250,000 for a unit of 1,500 sq.ft.