A crowd of about 30 interested seniors quizzed proponent Pat De Luca last week about his plans to build a four-storey, 106-unit seniors’ facility in Trail Bay Estates above Chatelech Secondary School.
During an Oct. 14 public information meeting about the project, dubbed Wesbrooke by the Sea, De Luca said he planned a similar model seniors’ home to the one he and his wife Celeste have had success with in Pitt Meadows, called The Wesbrooke.
“This is what we do for a living. We have built and operate seniors’ living communities. We currently have one in Pitt Meadows, which is 114 suites and has independent living and assisted living,” De Luca said, explaining the difference between the two terms.
“The simplest way to think about it is independent living – basically you can look after yourself … Assisted living is when you need some assistance. You need some services like medication reminders, grooming help, help with bathing, acts of daily living that you just can’t do any longer by yourself.”
He noted Wesbrooke by the Sea would be able to accommodate most seniors well into their 90s.
“With the model that we have, we can look after you or we can look after mom or dad quite a long way down the road until they need complex care. Until they almost have to be in a hospital setting,” De Luca said.
He said the new development would be an “all inclusive type model” that provides rental units for seniors for a monthly rate of somewhere between $2,000 and $3,000, depending on the size of the suite.
“Meals are provided, housekeeping is provided, emergency response systems are provided. We have a full-time nurse on staff. We have care aides 24 hours a day and we have lots and lots and lots of activities,” De Luca said.
When asked about pets, De Luca said cats and dogs small enough to carry would be welcome, but birds, rabbits and fish would not be allowed.
Each rental suite would come with a balcony and an ocean view, De Luca said, noting the designation of units would be made on a “first come, first served basis.”
When asked how large the rental units would be, De Luca said that typically “500 to 600 square feet is plenty.”
“This is a lifestyle,” he noted.
“When people think of apartments, usually they think you close the door – that’s my living space, that’s my circle. Whereas in this kind of living you open up your door and you have a fitness room, a dining room – you have a lot more available to you.”
De Luca received favourable comments from the crowd in attendance on Oct. 14, but the proposal has a long way to go before building can begin.
The development will need to be granted a rezoning and official community plan amendment by Sechelt council, which will necessitate a public hearing in the future.
De Luca said he’s eager to start building and noted that once the final approvals are in place, it should take 13 to 16 months to finish construction and start welcoming residents.
In the meantime, seniors who want to get on the list to be considered for an apartment can call De Luca at 604-230-1164 or email [email protected]
