Peterborough editorial: Rejection of land donation request puts Abbeyfield down, but not out

Sat., July 25, 2020

Backers of an innovative, non-profit seniors’ home might not get the piece of Lakefield parkland they are hoping to build on, but the future of their project is promising.

Selwyn Township council flatly rejected a request from the Abbeyfield House Society of Lakefield for two acres of Isabel Morris Park.

The “no” vote could hardly have been more comprehensive. Council members said the land was too valuable to give away, too important to future plans and that such a generous gift would show favouritism over other charities.

However, Deputy Mayor Sherry Senis also said the township is committed to helping the group find a home for its planned 12- to14-unit communal living apartment building. That could include helping with fundraising and getting the word out that the group is looking for a donated site. After four years of planning that would be the answer society members were looking for. But given the level of organization they have reached, it should be enough to push on and be successful. Abbeyfield House project are popular in England and have been built sporadically across Canada. Seniors live in their own apartments and contributing labour to upkeep where possible.

A paid manager runs the building. Meals are provided and there are common areas for socializing.

The big difference is rental rates. An Abbeyfield representative has said the non-profit, shared workload approach allows monthly rents to be held to $1,800, compared to $3,000 in a typical government-subsidized seniors’ home.

Judging by the quality of its presentation to council, the Lakefield group has done a lot of work in the four years since the Abbeyfield concept was first broached. Their plan is to raise $3.6 million from existing provincial and federal housing programs, support from the municipality and fundraising. Selwyn Township’s contribution was to be the land.

Given the sharp, clear rejection that followed, the request for that piece of parkland was a tactical error. It might be that no amount of convincing could ever pry the property loose, but the possibility becomes more remote after such a strong public stand has been taken.

And there are good arguments for giving up that particular parcel.

While the site is waterfront parkland, something municipalities wisely like to preserve, it is not a Grade A example.

It’s an undeveloped section of the park, separated from the original waterfront strip by a road allowance. It sits behind the township arena and a small strip mall. And it represents less than 20 per cent of the entire park area.

One councillor’s estimate that the land is worth $1 million might be high, but within reason.

However, the township agrees affordable seniors housing is a high priority. Providing land is the most effective way to help and that land should be close to shopping and services.

Any two-acre site in the village core will be worth $500,000 or more. That’s the cost of making a serious commitment.

One alternative could see Abbeyfield buy the property at a discounted price. An Abbeyfield Home in Alberta took out a $640,000 mortgage to get started and paid it off in 12 years.

Whatever the final answer, Selwyn Township should make good on Senis’s promise of help, and the best way to help is donating a workable site.