Croftonbrook gets $$ for upgrade
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Social housing fund disburses more than half a million dollars
Croftonbrook affordable housing complex will get a serious makeover thanks to a $557,202 grant from the federal and provincial governments announced last week.
“We’re absolutely delighted to receive this federal-provincial grant and we thank both governments, obviously, and in particular MLA Murray Coell, who sort of wrapped it all up for us by making sure we had the provincial side of the grant,” said Croftonbrook board chair Carol Dodd.
Funds to upgrade the 25-year-old, 20-unit complex on Lower Ganges Road were disbursed from the Housing Renovation Partnership program allotted for social housing projects.
Dodd said drainage work, removing vegetation from around the buildings and upgrading units to current standards is required.
“BC Housing has been over two or three times and inspected the units, so we know pretty well what has to be done,” she said.
Local engineer Phil Grange has also been involved with preliminary work and assessments.
Dodd anticipated the work would take about a year to complete.
“We’re looking forward to using as many local contractors as we can,” she added.
“We have to get three bids for everything and we’re really hoping the local contractors will be interested in doing the work.”
Croftonbrook is operated by the Salt Spring Society for Seniors Accommodation, with representatives from the island’s Rotary and Lions clubs, and Branch 92 of the Royal Canadian Legion.
“I’m blessed with an amazing board,” said Dodd. “They are very committed and hardworking, and their volunteer hours have been and are going to be part of what makes us use every single dollar as effectively as they can.”
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