Habitat for Humanity Vancouver Island North is well on it’s way to starting construction on the first of 11 homes at 477 Hilchey Road.
They held a groundbreaking for the first duplex Wednesday morning and celebrated with the newly selected families, as well as Habitat volunteers and representatives from city council.
“What we are doing today is providing strength and security,” said Pat McKenna, executive director for Habitat. “What we are doing is using the power of the team and the power of community to transform the lives of 11 home owners. Eleven families and potentially over 30 children whose lives will be impacted by the shovel hitting the ground today.”
The one-acre parcel of land will be developed over the next three years into four duplexes and a triplex. Construction will begin in March and will be one of the 150 houses built across Canada as part of the 34th annual Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project.
“I remember being on council when the first ask came forward on 9th avenue where the city donated the land and that sort of set the precedent of the partnership with Habitat for Humanity in promoting and doing more developments to do that hand up not hand out,” said Mayor Andy Adams. “For that, on behalf of city council…I want to thank [McKenna] and all the people at Habitat for Humanity for making this happen.”
McKenna also took the opportunity to introduce Brian Woods as the site supervisor. Peter Sanderson, who has been the lead carpenter at the previous Campbell River builds has been shifted to a guidance and management position.
Construction on the duplex is set to being in March and Habitat is anticipating that the 11 homes will be complete by 2020.
