Community members and government representatives had a chance to tour Port AlberniB次元官网网址檚 newest apartment building during the grand opening of Maitland Street Village on Dec. 15, 2021.
Workers are putting the finishing touches on landscaping, and the building is waiting on the arrival of some appliances, but otherwise the new, low energy apartments are ready for tenants.
Maitland Street Village is a project of the Alberni Low Energy Housing Society and society chair Mike Ruttan said the building is the first apartment in B.C. to be built to Step 4 in the new B.C. Building Code.
Two weeks before the grand opening, builders conducted a B次元官网网址渂lower door testB次元官网网址� to determine how much air is entering or escaping from the building. The building was more than 80 percent below the threshhold, said Ruttan, meaning utility costs for tenants should be very low.
The Alberni Low Energy Housing Society has been working on the building for almost five years, from conception to construction. The land for the apartment was provided by the Roman Catholic Diocese, as it was formerly the site of Smith Memorial SchoolB次元官网网址攖he Alberni ValleyB次元官网网址檚 first Catholic school.
Bishop Gary Gordon, representing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria, attended the grand opening on Wednesday.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 cold outside, but there is warmth in the hearts of the people who have put work into this place,B次元官网网址� said Gordon. B次元官网网址淚t feels like Christmas today. ItB次元官网网址檚 a big gift. And like all big gifts, itB次元官网网址檚 going to be giving to the community for years to come.B次元官网网址�
The other special guest on Wednesday was Al Ross, hereditary chief of Hupacasath First Nation. Ross said he was proud to see progress that is being made to provide housing in the Alberni Valley.
Although some of the rentals are affordable, Ruttan said the rental rates range from B次元官网网址渧ery lowB次元官网网址� to market rentals and are made for low to moderate income earners. The majority of the 46 units are three-bedroom, two-bathroom apartments intended for families. Thanks to a grant from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, 11 of the units are also fully accessible for wheelchair users.
Each floor has shared laundry facilities. There are also community gardens and landscaping that B次元官网网址渞eflects the natural environment,B次元官网网址� said Ruttan. The apartment is not pet-friendly, but there is a safe, fenced area for children to play.
B次元官网网址淲e are building a community,B次元官网网址� said Ruttan. B次元官网网址淎ll the aspects that you need for a community are in this building.B次元官网网址�
Ruttan said they are hoping to start moving people in by the end of December.
B次元官网网址淲e want to get people in here and settled,B次元官网网址� he said.
The building will be managed by TPM Properties, based out of Victoria. The property management company already manages a pair of properties in Port Alberni: Roger Park Terrace and Helen Street Apartments.
For more information about Maitland Street Village, contact the Alberni Valley Low Energy Housing Society at albernilowenergyhousingsociety.ca or TPM Properties at tpmproperties.ca.
elena.rardon@albernivalleynews.com
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