Misericordia Seniors Housing Opposed

Social media lit up in regards to Misericordia proposing seniors housing in its largely vacant education and resource center at 691 Wolseley, directly across from Misercordia Health Centre. The six story Misericordia Education and Resource Centre has been 80% empty ever since the Massage Therapy College of Manitoba decamped to the Clarion Hotel office spaces as Evolve Massage Therapy school. For many years three floors of what used to be the in-house training center for nurses were used by the school. Downstairs has been used by four non-profits, two of which have already found spaces. Health, family and seniors had been the focus of the organizations that operated in the building.

The proposed building seen above would be constructed once the old building is demolished some time in December once all the tenants have left. Thoughts on refurbishing the building were dismissed when the total started to climb northward in terms of bringing the building to code. Electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling as well as accessibility were far from ideal. A study done by Misericordia pegged costs at $7 million.

The 1962 built building is neither distinct nor well utilized for a 60 year old building and yet some people are advocating for its preservation and restoration. The argument for halting the demolition has to be taken in contrast to what will replace the mostly empty six storey building. What is being proposed is an assisted living seniors apartment that has 97 units that start at 20% below market rates for rent. Further, 29 units will be 30% below market rental rates.

Misericordia Corporation, a non-profit will plow all income back into the building. Moreover, it will be connected by skywalk to the hospital itself. The new building appears to attractive and unlike its old counterpart, seems to have a presence to Sherbrook Street. This is important because Sherbrook through fits and starts as been slowly becoming a more people oriented and likely street. Entrances to Sherbrook would go a long way to facilitating more activity.

It seems everything Misericordia does is resisted. The personal care home Misericordia Place was resisted in 2000 by many. Nearly 55 years ago Villa Rosa was opposed. The parkade has been opposed since 1985 but people parking anywhere near the hospital is opposed. The hospital has gone through many changes. The original 1971 construction of the Emergency and ICU was opposed. Later, its closure was opposed. The closure of the Urgent Care was opposed.

It is a very long list of resistance to change. However, a seniors home on an underused building site should not be opposed. One complaint was that climate change suffers when an old building is not revitalized. I am dubious on this as the building does not meet any codes now, is not dense enough and has huge problems on accessibility.

This city needs below market seniors housing in the Wolsely area. It is exactly what is needed and a brilliant addition to the neighbourhood. There are a lot of things to oppose in this city but inexpensive housing is not one of them.