A plan has been pitched to build new seniors and student housing in Parry Sound.
Bill Mardimae, a representative from the Gardens of Parry Sound retirement residence, addressed council on Sept. 17 and voiced an interested in building two new residences with 30 to 40 units each.
Mardimae says the buildings would consist of a mix of seniors apartments and student housing, noting that both the Gardens of Parry Sound and Canadore College have a growing need.
“We have had preliminary discussions with our neighbour, Canadore College, they have a shortage of students accomodations…so we would be willing to work with them to try and incorporate in some student housing,” he said.
According to Mardimae, the Gardens of Parry Sound would need to purchase an adjacent right-of-way in order to have enough room for both buildings.
“This was one of the properties that I brought to staff that, from my eye, should be sold and put in the hands of someone that is going to building housing,” said Coun. George Ashford. “What greater use than someone that is going to build seniors housing?”
According to Dave Thompson, director of development and protective services, the property was declared surplus in 2017. Town staff were in the process of putting it up for sale in 2019.
“The pandemic hit and as a priority, it completely fell off the table at that time and it has never been resurrected.”
Council directed staff to resume the process, work out an agreement with the Gardens of Parry Sound, and bring documents to a future meeting.
