Assisted living centre a step closer to construction

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This article was published 23/01/2020 (2260 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Preliminary site plans for a 194-bed assisting living centre were approved by the East Kildonan-Transcona community committee on Jan. 20.

The project will include a six-storey 146-bed assisted living building in back, stepping down to two- and three-storey buildings fronting onto 1475 Molson Ave. that include a 48-bed “memory care facility.”

Jenni Joorisity, the architect for the project, explained that the memory care facility is intended “for folks living with various forms of dementia but who are still very mobile.”

Couns. Jason Schreyer (Elmwood-East Kildonan), Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan) and Shawn Nason (Transcona) all spoke in favour of the project, approving the initial plans so that the developer can secure a foundation permit and begin work on the site. Plans for elevations and colour will still need approval of the EKT community committee before construction can proceed on the buildings. 

The committee also approved a request for an honorary street name designating McLeod Avenue between Gateway Road and Brunswick Avenue as “Guru Nanak Way” for the next five years. Cost of the signage will be shared between the EKT community committee and the Assiniboia community committee. The initiative, which was brought forward to committee by Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West), commemorates the 550th anniversary of the birth of Sikh founder Guru Nanak, which was celebrated in 2019.

“I think this is great,” Schreyer said. “We’re very happy to have the street be given the honorary name. I’m pleased to be doing my part.”

The EKT community committee also directed the public service to look at steps needed to move forward with the East of the Red Recreation Plex as a public-private partnership and report back to the committee within 90 days. A feasibility study has been completed for the project, which could be located on City-owned land next to the new Transcona Library (1 Transcona Blvd.).

A $12,500 community incentive grant was also awarded from the North Kildonan ward for the Red River Community Centre (293 Murray Ave.) towards the cost of purchasing a surplus Zamboni from the City of Winnipeg.

“This is very exciting news,” Browaty said. “It was on the public offering page and we needed to move fast for them to get it.”

A per capita grant of $1,000 was awarded to the Prairie Badminton Club, located at 275 De Baets St., to help with costs associated with hosting the Canadian national senior and para-badminton championships. The national tournament takes place Jan. 28 through Feb. 1.

“I’m very excited that this is coming,” Nason said.

A $600 per capita grant was also awarded to the Chalmers Neighbourhood Renewal Corporation and the Elmwood Business Association to design a logo, as the groups are hoping to establish a Business Improvement Zone in the area.

“We’ve had some great discussions,” Schreyer said of the initiative. “It’s a great beginning.”

The next meeting of the East Kildonan-Transcona community committee is scheduled for Mon., Feb. 3 at 5 p.m.

Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist

Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. The author of Missing Like Teeth: An Oral History of Winnipeg Underground Rock (1990-2001), his writing has appeared in journals and online platforms across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. A husband and father of two young children, Sheldon enjoys playing guitar and rec hockey when he can find the time. Email him at sheldon.birnie@freepress.mb.ca Call him at 204-697-7112

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