A significant step forward has been taken in Prince Edward County to help address the affordable housing crisis.
A key exchange ceremony took place today (Monday) at the former Pinecrest Memorial Elementary School between members of the LoveSong organization and Prince Edward County, turning the property officially over to the group that aims to create affordable housing for seniors.
LoveSong Project Facilitator Ken Howe speaks at the key exchange ceremony at the former Pinecrest Memorial Elementary School in Bloomfield on October 5, 2020. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
Project Facilitator Ken Howe told those in attendance this project has been over ten years coming.
“Because this is 70% finished. The basic building that exists here today is a fabulous building. A fabulous building to start from.”
The group purchased the school from the municipality for $375,000.
He says their mandate has always been to provide safe, affordable housing and he hopes this project will be a model for other communities because there are hundreds of empty schools in the province.
The organization is working to remove items like cupboards, lockers and blackboards from the school and get the building ready to be converted into 50 units that will be approximately 400 square feet each. Each unit will contain a bedroom/sitting area, kitchenette and full bath with shared lounge, dining and laundry facilities.
Howe says this truly is a community project and now they begin moving ahead to the next phase which is beginning the renovations, applying for grants and fundraising.
The cost of this project is estimated at $10 million and will begin in the fall of 2021.
Springale Development Corporation under the direction of Andy and Phil Spry is undertaking the project.
Bay of Quinte Neil Ellis speaks at the key exchange ceremony at the former Pinecrest Memorial Elementary School in Bloomfield on October 5, 2020. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
Bay of Quinte MP Neil Ellis says it has been a long, hard slog for LoveSong to get to where they are today, but what they are doing is putting unity in community and he is going to get to work to make sure the federal government supports this project.
“Affordable housing is one of our main government planks, so now we’re going to have to get some money for this. It’s a great project, it’s well needed in the riding, it’s well needed in Prince Edward County.”
Prince Edward County Mayor Steve Ferguson speaks at the key exchange ceremony at the former Pinecrest Memorial Elementary School in Bloomfield on October 5, 2020. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
Prince Edward County Mayor Steve Ferguson acknowledged affordable housing is a significant problem in their municipality.
“Ken, Donna, the Sprys; you guys have just done an unbelievable job to get us to this point, and this is a terrific step forward for our community.”
Howe says they are also planning on having a doctor’s office or nurse practitioner or assisting supports on site as well for residents.
The facility will also include a community hub with a variety of services and amenities for not only the use by tenants of LoveSong, but the entire community.
To learn more about LoveSong, you can visit their website.
