The Baynes Lake community was celebrating on Friday, March 8 as officials visited its seniors housing development Spirit Pond Haven for an official ribbon cutting.
The ceremony was held on the one-year anniversary of Spirit Pond Haven's completion.
The $1.4 milliondevelopment consists of eight units for seniors housing, managed and operated by the Baynes Lake Seniors Housing Society.
The Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) provided the land, which was valued at $213,000.
"The Regional District of East Kootenay is pleased that the province had granted us the land so that we had it available to give to the society for the development of Spirit Pond Haven, providing seniors in our regional district with more affordable housing solutions they so richly deserve," said RDEK Area B Director Heath Slee.
"I want to congratulate Doug Lyons and the Baynes Lake Seniors Housing Society for their success in fulfilling their vision for the Baynes Lake community."
Spirit Pond Haven offers affordable modular housing for seniors and people with disabilities.
The units are designed to be easily accessible for seniors and people with disabilities, and features include large rooms that are easy to manoeuvre in a wheelchair, shelves and light switches at a lower height, bathroom grab bars and step-in showers.
"Residents of Spirit Pond Haven have truly taken great pride in making these homes their own," said Doug Lyon, chairman, of Baynes Lake Seniors Housing Society.
"We are thankful for the support from our government partners and the community that made these apartments possible. We look forward to many more anniversary celebrations here at Spirit Pond Haven for years to come."
Through the Canada-British Columbia Affordable Housing Agreement, the federal government contributed $594,000 and the provincial government provided $533,724.
"Our government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity," said David Wilks, Member of Parliament for Kootenay-Columbia, on behalf of Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
"Through investments in Spirit Pond Haven, we have helped to increase the number of affordable housing options for seniors in need of a hand up and contributed to the economic and social well-being of the entire community."
"Investing in safe, affordable housing for seniors is important to our government," said Bill Bennett, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and MLA for Kootenay East.
"Spirit Pond Haven has created new affordable housing options and will add to the community for many years to come. I would like to thank all partners involved, especially the Baynes Lake Seniors Housing Society for their current and future successes at Spirit Pond Haven."
The Baynes Lake development is one of seven seniors housing programs that Columbia Basin Trust has contributed to, with an overall total of $425,000.
"This is a great opportunity to celebrate the collaborative efforts of the community, local partners and government, and a chance to congratulate you all on the one-year anniversary of Spirit Pond Haven," said Neil Muth, president of Columbia Basin Trust.
"This housing initiative is meeting a clear need for seniors housing, and we are honoured to be a part of it."