By Nigel Maxwell

$500K facility planned for Birch Hills

Feb 16, 2018 | 7:00 AM

The former Co-Op store in the Town of Birch Hills is getting a long overdue makeover.

The town, which purchased the building in 2015, has plans to convert the building into a multi-use facility. According to the design plans, the facility will include a seniors’ home, public library and a room for the local Lions Club.

Town Councilor Barry Evans said the local seniors are in need of a new home.

“What the seniors are in now, that building is about 100 years old,” he said. “It isn’t suitable for seniors because [of] the stairs and stuff like that.”

Evans said the new building will offer ground-level entry and will be wheelchair accessible. The committee behind the initiative has so far raised $175,000 towards their end goal of $500,000, and the official kick-off fundraiser Saturday night at the Birch Hills Civic Centre will include both a supper and raffle.

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Evans said there is a lot of excitement in the community about the project.

“We’ve just got to get rolling on it and show that we’re serious about it,” he said.

Evans said there are plans for a major fundraiser in November, but he could not provide any further details. Tickets for this weekend’s event are still available through the Birch Hills Town Office. 

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca 

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell