Future care for Coldstream’s seniors is in the works.
Official community plan and zoning amendments are moving ahead to allow for further development at Coldstream Meadows.
The seniors’ residential care facility is currently home to 106 units, but the changes will enable the site to build to a maximum of 270 units on the approximately 20-hectare site.
“What has driven this whole plan is really all about community need,” said Jack Borden, owner of Coldstream Meadows.
“Looking forward in 20 years from now 30 per cent of Coldstream’s population is going to be 65 or older, and the 75 plus population is going to triple.
“Many will need accommodation, services and care, that are going to be available at Coldstream Meadows.”
The project won’t develop to its full potential right away.
The plan is to construct 48 units of affordable seniors housing and to be prepared to respond to any request from the Interior Health Authority for residential care and assisted living.
The project received substantial community support, with 105 letters backing the expansion.
“I’m impressed by the number of positive comments considering what it was like when you first proposed it,” said Coun. Gyula Kiss, recalling opposition to the project years ago.
A number of residents also turned out to voice their support at a public open house Monday.
“I’m quite frankly concerned that in a number of years there’s going to be a great shortage of facilities,” said Warren Burgess.
“This particular one will allow people to stay in their community and have family around them and I think that’s a really strong point.”
The facility is also being praised for the economic opportunities it will create.
“They hire professional employees and they pay a good living wage and we certainly need good-paying jobs,” said Pat White.
Lavington resident Michael Kemper’s mom recently moved to Coldstream Meadows and he says she loves it there.
“It has everything to offer for retirees and I’ll probably end up in there myself.”
But a couple Coldstream Meadows neighbours have some concerns with the project.
Neighbour William Hamstra would like to see an access road put in place off Howe Drive, not only for construction vehicles, but as a permanent road.
He also has concerns about the owner possibly selling the complex of care down the road, but Borden assures that is not in the plans.
“We don’t want to back away from this until it’s done,” said Borden.
“We’ve got too much blood, sweat and tears in it to back away.”
Borden says a stop sign will also be placed at the driveway exiting the facility to address another neighbour’s safety concerns.
