With a 55 per cent rate of vacancy, the 麻豆社国产Renaissance Retirement Residence still has room for seniors seeking independent living while meeting essential needs.
"Assisted living is relatively new to a lot of communities including 麻豆社国产it definitely fills that gap between home and more complex care," said Martin Gardner, Renaissance vice president of operations.
The project's doors opened in early December, and on Friday March (26), Sea to Sky MLA Joan McIntyre, BC Housing and Vancouver Coastal Health representatives and residence were on hand to celebrate its official grand opening with a ribbon cutting.
"It gives me great pride to be representing the province because we are very committed to a whole range of options, to be giving people and seniors in particular a choice and this is all about a continuum of care," said McIntyre.
Gardner acknowledged some units had heating issues when the facility first opened in December, but the issues are being addressed and no one currently had complaints.
"It's been a bumpy road, but one I'm very proud of. There's a room full of reasons why this project has been so successful," he said. "Today means a lot to me, it means a lot to our staff and I think it means a lot to our residents."
Gardner thanked the dozens of Renaissance employees that help run the 75-unit facility.
"I think our staff have gone above and beyond to make sure the transition from home either in 麻豆社国产or outside to the Renaissance be a smooth one," he said.
"No one said growing old was easy."
The Third Avenue, three-storey facility offers both independent and assisted living accommodations seniors who require some assistance but not 24-hour a day professional nursing care. The province subsidizes twenty units by a $150,000 subsidy while Vancouver Costal Health will provide up to $401,000 in funding for support and hospitality services for the subsidized suites.
McIntyre said 麻豆社国产Renaissance is a prime example of what collaborative partnership with organizations like Vancouver Costal Health, the District of Squamish, Seniors Services Housing Society, Independent Living BC and BC Housing can achieve.
"It's just a marvellous example of when we put all of the private sector, non-profits and government all together we can produce something as fantastic as this for the benefit of all of the community."
Vancouver Coastal Health Home and Community Care, Sea to Sky manager and long-time 麻豆社国产resident Marion Biln thanked a lengthy list of 麻豆社国产residents who helped bring this project to fruition.
"Those folks' voices in the 80s and 90s were so instrumental in bringing this project forward."
Biln said she's thankful the facility was made to fit into such a unique community as Squamish.
"Look around the rooms and see how they positioned the windows just to make use of our beautiful views and really given it the flavour of Squamish."
After more than three decades in the community, Biln announced she is leaving town, leading District of 麻豆社国产Mayor Greg Gardner to thank for all her contributions to the health care community.
"You are leaving your children here, so your legacy will carry on, I know."
Mayor Gardner said he's excited 麻豆社国产is currently experiencing a wide variety of community housing successes like Riverstones, Hilltop House and the Seniors Centre.
"It's exciting for me to be mayor at this time when we're having so much success," he said. "It's a great day for Squamish."
