Not a lot has changed since September regarding the development of the Lions Manor 55, an independent living place for seniors 55 and up to live.
They still need 12 more people to put down a deposit of $500 on the remaining units.
“We still need a commitment on all 30 units in order for the mortgagor to be satisfied that there is significant interest in Thompson,” says Penny Byer, treasurer of the Lions Manor 55 board. “Until we can get those 12 remaining deposits, we cannot get into an agreement with the mortgage company which means we cannot give you a date for when the project will start.”
The plan to build Lions Manor 55 has been in progress for about four years now. It all started in 2013 when city council unanimously voted to rezone a parcel of land at 509 Station Drive from urban hold to residential. The 70,945-square-foot lot, owned by the Lions Club, is being donated to the proposed barrier-free and affordable housing complex.
Rotary Place on Westwood Drive is currently the only place for independent living for people 55 and up in Thompson.
“It is really up to people in Thompson now to step forward to place their deposits,” says Byer. “It is not a risk to anybody because it is refundable; we just need that show of support.”
Former NDP premier’s Greg Selinger’s government pledged $2.5 million toward the project in January 2016 before being defeated in that spring’s provincial election by the Brian Pallister’s Progressive Conservatives. Thompson PC MLA Kelly Bindle said in his MLA Report in the Nickel Belt News March 24 that the project is currently before the province’s Treasury Board for review to determine if the funding will be approved.
Residents interested in making a deposit on a unit are asked to call Leanne Grenier 204-307-8334 or to email [email protected].
