A seniors’ housing project that has been discussed around council tables across the region for years is about to become reality.

The MD of St. Paul Foundation has announced a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Sunnyside Manor Seniors Residence, scheduled for June 16 in St. Paul, marking the official start of construction on a project local leaders say has been years in the making.

The development has received support from municipalities throughout the region, including the Town of St. Paul, the Town of Elk Point and the County of St. Paul, all of which have discussed the project in recent council meetings.

For many elected officials, the groundbreaking represents more than the start of a building project. It marks a significant step toward addressing one of the region’s growing challenges — providing more housing options for seniors who want to remain close to family, friends and services as they age.

Years of planning and advocacy

At a recent Town of St. Paul meeting, Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul MLA Scott Cyr highlighted the work that went into securing support for the project.

Cyr said he worked alongside Foundation representatives and municipal leaders to strengthen funding applications and help move the project forward.

He described the development as one of three major seniors housing successes achieved during his time as MLA, alongside previous projects in Bonnyville and Cold Lake.

The project has also become a frequent topic in regional housing discussions as communities continue to look for ways to address the changing needs of an aging population.

During the same discussion, council members noted that while Sunnyside Manor will help address one segment of seniors’ housing demand, additional conversations around future seniors’ care and housing options will still be needed.

Regional support helped get the project to this point

The project has been supported by multiple municipalities throughout the region.

At its June 8 meeting, Elk Point council received an update that preparations for the groundbreaking ceremony were underway. Council also heard that the Foundation will be recruiting a new chief executive officer following a recent departure, but that the housing project remains on track.

Meanwhile, the County of St. Paul discussed the upcoming ceremony after receiving an invitation to attend, with councillors recognizing the significance of finally reaching the construction stage.

The collaboration between municipalities has been a key part of the project’s success, with leaders repeatedly describing seniors’ housing as a regional issue that requires regional solutions.

Meeting a growing need

The need for additional senior housing has been repeatedly identified in regional housing studies, municipal planning discussions, and healthcare attraction efforts.

Many communities throughout northeastern Alberta are seeing an increasing number of seniors looking to downsize while remaining in their home communities.

Local leaders have argued that providing appropriate housing options helps seniors remain independent longer while also opening up existing homes for younger families entering the market.

The upcoming groundbreaking ceremony will be the first visible step toward that goal.

For communities across the region, it also serves as a reminder that some of the largest projects don’t happen overnight. In this case, years of planning, funding applications, municipal partnerships and advocacy efforts are finally turning into shovels in the ground.

The groundbreaking ceremony for Sunnyside Manor Seniors Residence is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16 at 11 a.m. in St. Paul.