Chase and District Recreation Society opposes location chosen for seniors housing project

Photo: Village of Chase Facebook page

The Chase and District Recreation Centre Society have levelled criticism at the Village of Chase for what they say is an “an ongoing lack of consultation” about the proposed Oncore Seniors Housing Project.

The proposed project would provide low-income housing for seniors, and is planned to be built on land adjacent to the Art Holding Memorial Arena.

In a statement issued by the Chase and District Recreation Society, Steffi Timm, the society's president, said while she supports this type of project, she is opposed to the chosen location due to its impact on the arena and future recreation developments in the area.

Timm said the society sent a letter of concern about the location of the seniors housing project to council in July, and did not receive a reply from the village until October.

The statement lists four reasons why the recreation society is opposed to the Oncore Seniors Housing Project.

The society said the land chosen for the project is the last property currently zoned for recreation usage.

“No matter how critical the need for housing is, the project eliminates or compromises the possibility of any future community recreational developments there,” Timm said, adding this includes a zip line currently operating along the back of the property.

Timm said the development also removes a significant amount of needed parking for the arena.

“The Chase Heat hosts up to 26 home games each season, drawing on average, 230 [to] 250 patrons, filling the parking lot,” Timm said. “Losing any parking would consistently affect the arena patrons and guests. Parking conflicts with the new development, the Chase Plaza merchants and Sun Valley Estates are inevitable.”

The society said developing replacement parking at the side or rear of the arena would come at a high cost.

Timm added access from Shepherd Street to this future parking would be narrow, especially during winter months when snow removal is required.

The fourth point raised by the society states the proposed location is directly opposite the baseball diamonds and school soccer fields.

“This will likely lead to damage to the property and possible liability issues from balls launched over the fence from the existing ball field,” Timm said. “Add in the amount of year-round traffic for baseball and soccer and lack of parking along the access from Shepherd, and you clearly have significant potential for conflict with future residents.”

Possible parking solutions

Earlier this year, the village held a meeting with two board members from the Chase and District Recreation Society. Timm said they were shown plans for an extended parking lot behind the arena, but at a public meeting on Oct. 24, they found out there were no concrete plans or funds set aside for a new parking lot.

Castanet reached out to Joni Heinrich, the village's chief administrative officer, for comment.

“Basically, that is showing what's possible,” she said of the new parking lot plans. “If the development happens, the road into the parking area will be paved as part of the development.”

Heinrich added with the new paved road, there will be an opportunity for the village to create a new parking area for the arena, but no concrete plans have been made to do so because the process is not far enough along.

“The Village of Chase owns the facility,” she emphasized. “We want to see that facility continue to be well used, so we're not going to just leave the facility high and dry with no amenities to ensure people can use it.”

The village council will need to pass a zoning amendment bylaw at a future meeting in order for the Oncore Senior Housing project to move forward.