Planners with the Rimoka Housing Foundation got a bit of a surprise this week after hearing the province will pay for Rimbey’s new Parkland Manor in full.
Rimoka CAO, Peter Hall, said he received confirmation from Lori Sigurdson, Minister of Seniors and Housing, Jan. 16 that the decision came to top up the initial investment of $13.3 million by another $2.66 million, enough to complete the project ($15.96 million) without having to borrow additional funds.
“It’s a nice windfall for our communities,” said Hall after he spoke with the minister.
He said that will remove the expected annual payments of $100,000-plus needed in debt servicing to fully pay for the project. “We can continue to manage how we’ve been managing now.”
If all goes well with the construction of the 80-unit building, moving in day could occur Sept. 1, however, that could change if there are delays in construction.
The funds come from the $582 million committed under the Sustainable Housing Renewal - Rural and Urban initiative for capital projects, states a letter from the minister confirming the decision. Where Rimoka must take care of is in the costs related to furniture, fixtures and equipment.
Rimoka working on transfer with Bethany
When Bethany announced its decision to discontinue management of the Rimoka Housing Foundation in November 2015, the process began to get other aspects of management back to Rimoka.
At the Town of Ponoka’s most recent regular meeting Jan. 10, town council approved a motion to support the return of control of the provincially funded social housing units from Bethany to Rimoka.
The preamble of the motion states that Minister Sigurdson is responsible for making the order. A resolution of council from both the town and county of Ponoka and the Town of Rimbey would show support of the return.
For Ponoka that brings Reid Manor, Slater Place, Legion Arms and 12 social housing units back, and for Rimbey that would bring Kansas Ridge 1 and 2 and 10 social housing units, also back to Rimoka. A meeting with Rimoka and Bethany is expected to occur in February to discuss the administrative side of the transfer.