How an apartment building in Coniston, Ont., is helping seniors stay in their community
CBC
When Les Lisk had the idea to open a seniors apartment complex in Coniston, a community in Sudbury, Ont., he only had $10 in hand to get the project started.
He started the Coniston Non-Profit Seniors Housing Corporation 13 years ago, and in late 2023 finally opened a 55-unit building in the community.
"We wanted to get a residence here, an apartment building, so that the people would stay in the community," said Lisk.
With help from Bélanger Construction he was able to get the $18 million needed to build the apartment building, and secure a mortgage with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.
Before the apartment building opened, Lisk said seniors in the community had few options to stay in the community after they moved out of their homes.
Rents in the building range from around $1,200 to a little over $2,000 per month depending on the unit.
Demand was so high when it opened that there's now a wait list to get in with 100 names on it.
Sandra Fournier said as soon as she learned about the project she signed up for an apartment as soon as it would become available.
"I didn't want to leave my hometown," she said.
"I was born in Coniston. I won't tell you my age, but it was some time ago. And so I really, really wanted to stay in my community. And I'm so thrilled that this project got off the ground. And here we are."
When Fournier and her husband moved into the apartment building they were able to sell their home to her great niece, Paige Eastwood, and her family.
"I grew up going to Christmases and Easters and I always really admired their house and their community," Eastwood said.
"We go for walks all the time. Everybody's very friendly. There's events at the church that we've attended so far."
Like Fournier, Jane Rodriguez knew she wanted to move into the apartment complex as soon as it opened.
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