News Release Archive
HOUSING/CONSUMER AFFAIRS--NEW SENIORS' COMPLEX
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Macdonald-Laurier Place, a 55-unit senior citizens'
apartment complex, was officially opened this morning in
Halifax.
Located on Ford Street, the facility was built at a cost of
approximately $3.3 million with funding by the Province of
Nova Scotia; the federal government, through Canada Mortgage
and Housing Corporation; and the City of Halifax.
Taking part in the ceremony were Housing and Consumer
Affairs Minister Eleanor Norrie, Mayor Walter Fitzgerald and
Michael Lavalette of Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation, representing the Minister Responsible for CMHC
David Dingwall.
The new building's location, which was formerly the site of
Titus Smith Elementary School, was acquired from the City of
Halifax.
"With construction of this new complex, it is gratifying to
see that this site, which helped educate our youth, will now
be home to our seniors and will therefore continue to play a
very important role in the life of the local community,"
said Mrs. Norrie.
The building contains 47 one-bedroom and four two-bedroom
apartment units, as well as four one-bedroom units specially
designed for wheelchair residents. Unique for the project is
the consultation process which was undertaken to identify
the design issues and features required to make the complex,
and the specially-designed units, accessible to occupancy by
tenants with special needs.
The minister paid tribute to the Canadian Paraplegic
Association for its input during the design consultation
process. "The project not only provides needed seniors'
housing," Mrs. Norrie said, "it also serves those who all
too often do not have affordable, appropriately designed
housing."
Construction of Macdonald-Laurier Place began in November,
1993 and was completed this past April. General contractor
was Titan Construction with planning, design and field
inspection services provided by the Department of Housing
and Consumer Affairs. The first residents moved into the
building this past June and the facility is now fully
occupied.
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Contact: Laurel Russell 902-424-4988
Richard Gauthier 902-426-6610
trp Dec. 13, 1995
