The latest draft designs, a fundraising plan, results of a need and demand study, a social and election of board members highlight the Wednesday, Sept. 23 annual meeting of the Slocan Valley Seniors’ Housing Society.
“With the community’s support and a dedicated board, we’ve come a long way in this last year,” said society president Rita Moir. “Passmore Lodge is on a good even keel, and we’ve progressed steadily with plans for the Slocan affordable housing project.”
All 12 board members elected last year are willing, ready and able to stay on, providing stability and continuity as the board enters major fundraising for Slocan and continues with improvements at Passmore. Board members continuing their terms or up for their second term are Lydia Kania, Ruth Hackett, Penny Tees, Paul Wilkinson, Don Currie, Mabel Kabatoff, Eric Clough, Lynnda Moore, Wilf Rimmer, Willie Harasemow, Sally Mackenzie and Rita Moir.
In the past year, the society raised funds for a Slocan Valley housing survey and study, with support from the Columbia Basin Trust, Area H, Heritage Credit Union and Slocan Legion. Study co-ordinator Ann Harvey and research assistant Nora Lilligren published the study in early August.
More than 400 senior households representing 628 Slocan Valley seniors responded. The study reveals a large need and demand for seniors housing in the Slocan Valley, and inspires the next stage in the process: fundraising.
The society needs to raise about $300,000 in funds and materials before applying for a mortgage, and with help from the Slocan Valley Community Legacy Society has hired Hillary Elliott to help the board research sources of support. Fundraising efforts are beginning and have been buoyed by an unexpected and generous donation of construction and finish lumber.
The AGM at Passmore Lodge at 3650 Old Passmore Road begins with a 6 p.m. social with refreshments, membership renewals, and a chance to review revised plans. (A meeting is also being planned later in the fall for more public input.) The AGM begins at 7 p.m.