East Gwillimbury short on housing for growing seniors population

East Gwillimbury could see development of 2 retirement residences

Yorkregion.com
February 20, 2019
Amanda Persico

East Gwillimbury could see the not one but two retirement homes built at the corner of Leslie Street and Mount Albert Road.

And that’s good news all around for the senior community.

“There’s a need for facilities for seniors,” said retiree Lynda Bolognini, a member of the Golden Anchor Senior Club in Holland Landing.

“That’s still down the road somewhere. But East Gwillimbury doesn’t have a lot,” she added.

'Be happy and make use of every day': Newmarket great-grandmother advises
Bolognini and her husband Ron are retired and still live in their Holland Landing home. Each week, the pair meet other Golden Anchor members and play euchre, where discussing the next phase of life is always on the table.

“Growth is coming," said Ron. "But there’s not much room for seniors.”

According to the 2016 census, seniors 55 and over make up more than 30 per cent of the town’s population. And that silver wave is only going to increase as the population ages.

“As the population grows, so too do the needs of seniors,” said Bill Potts, 79, of the town’s senior task force committee.

There are two proposals for retirement residences at Leslie Street and Mount Albert Road that would give longtime residents more options to stay in town.

“The options are just not here for all of life’s stages," said Mayor Virginia Hackson. “We want our residents to be able to stay in town.”

And if all the i’s are dotted and t’s crossed, there would be multiple options for local seniors, with plans for two retirement residences as well as a senior apartment complex, with construction starting as soon as this fall.

There are plans to develop a seven-storey retirement residence with 206 units on the northwest corner of Leslie Street and Mount Albert Road through Wycliffe Thornridge Sharon Corners Ltd.

The Wycliffe proposal, located at 1420 to 1484 Mount Albert Rd., also includes plans for a 100 unit, seven-storey seniors' apartment complex and close to 70 townhomes.

On the south side of Mount Albert Road, there are plans to build a retirement residence with the 140 assisted-living unites and 70 independent-living units.

The retirement building on the southside of Mount Albert Road, proposed by 2445085 Ontario Ltd., is part of the Shoppes of Sharon development.

The Shoppes of Sharon, located at 19086 Leslie St., also include a drug mart, coffee shop, bank, restaurant, child-care centre and a medical building.

Both projects are in the early stages of planning and both are good news for the Sharon area.

“Residents have been asking for years,” said Tara Roy-DiClemente, ward councillor for the area. “This couldn’t come soon enough.”

There are some remaining site-plan issues to resolve, including the location of walkways, parking spaces and garbage facilities as well as how the buildings fit in with the current residential area.

“Those are normal tweaks,” Roy-DiClemente said. “It’s part of being a good neighbour.”

But with limited details available, seniors in the area have a number of questions and concerns, with cost and affordability being at the top of the list.

“It could be a lot of money for a senior on a fixed income,” Potts said. “For many seniors, their home is their only asset. And that means selling their home.”

Other concerns heard from local seniors include proximity to public transit, access to recreational programs and outdoor open spaces, and the option to rent or own units.