SACKVILLE, N.B. – Dozens of seniors will be making downtown Sackville their new home by the end of this summer.
Local developer John Lafford says his new 35-unit seniors’ complex at the corner of York and Main streets should be ready for move-in by August and he’s excited for the doors to open.
Lafford, of JN Lafford Realty Inc., says the three-storey building in the heart of downtown will provide spacious one-or-two-bedroom units for independent seniors’ living.
He says the development has been generating a great deal of interest, simply through word of mouth, and he is already well on his way to filling up the building. Three-quarters of the units are already spoken for, with signed leases, says Lafford, and he is continuing to receive inquiries on a regular basis.
“There’s no question there’s a demand there,” says Lafford, of the desire for new and roomy barrier-free units for an aging population that promote safety and independence.
Ranging in size from 960 to 1,300 square-feet, and priced at between $1,250 to $1,700 per month, the apartments will feature plenty of open space, including a living room area and kitchen, the bedroom(s), and two full baths (with the master bathroom including an accessible walk-in shower). The proposed design of the complex also calls for balconies on each unit, a shared fitness centre and recreation room, and underground parking.
With an aging population in New Brunswick, Lafford says many people are on the lookout for larger units they can move into and not have to worry about ongoing maintenance and upgrade costs, as well as regular services such as snowplowing and lawn care. He says this type of safe and accessible housing can go a long way to making the retirement years much more stress-free for seniors and their families.
“It makes them feel good and their kids feel good. So people aren’t going to have those worries.”
He believes the location of the building, with its close proximity to local shops, banks, the post office and other amenities, is also a drawing card, particularly for active seniors who want to continue remaining mobile.
“The location is excellent to be able to walk to what they need,” he says.
Some of the new units within the new v-shaped structure will also overlook the Mount Allison swan pond and the Waterfowl Park.
Lafford says while the majority of seniors who have signed leases are those already living in the area, there are also several from Ontario or out west with Maritime roots who will be returning. He says he’s pleased to see this development is a factor in drawing people back here and feels it’s a building that it is going to serve its particular market well.
Construction, meanwhile, is about 40 per cent complete on the building, including the main framework for the underground parking and first floor. Work on the roof is set to get under way next week.
Although winter set in early, Lafford says the weather hasn’t been a significant deterrent in the building’s progression and insists the work is only about three weeks behind schedule.
“I’m personally very pleased with how things are going,” he says.
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