Seniors' needs were high on the minds of Orillia residents who took part in a consultation around the amenities to be included in the proposed hub on the old ODCVI property.
Staff from the consulting firm Eco-Ethnomics Inc. operated a pop-up consultation at Tudhope Park Saturday morning and were headed to the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 34 later in the day.
The event was organized by the County of Simcoe, which purchased the former school last year.
“Affordable housing is a problem everywhere and it's only going to get worse if we don't get on top of it,” said Cam Davidson of Orillia, who participated in the consultation at Tudope Park.
“I really believe housing is a right. You earn it up to a point, but if you're in a position where you can't fend for yourself, then you need help.”
He said his first wish is to see a Hillcrest Lodge model of affordable seniors' housing at the former school at the corner of West and Borland streets.
“The second one is some sort of daycare or childcare centre in the hub,” said Davidson, adding other facilities, such as geriatric care, doctors, financial planners, and lawyers are also needed in the building, so it becomes a one-stop shop.
Shirley Stacey agreed with Davidson about the seniors affordable housing needs.
“I really do think we need affordable senior housing with all the crisis and high rent,” she said. “I think in Orillia there's a lot of hidden poverty, with youth and seniors, and we should address it.
“There are a lot of people who have lived here all their lives on minimum wage jobs, and the rent just keeps going up and they can't afford it,” added the Orillia resident.
Her friend, Irene Tuininga, agreed with Stacey.
“It's a shock when I hear that Leacock (Care Centre) is $6,500 a month,” said Tuininga, who agrees the former school property could provide a good solution to seniors affordable housing problems. “It's outrageous if you have to put your partner in a home like that and pay your own rent and utilities. It's not doable.”
Additionally, the Orillia resident said legal aid and a walk-in-clinic are also needed.
“So many people haven't got a doctor in this community, especially in the summer time when they come from outlying areas,” said Tuininga.
Stacey said the hub could have a community garden so seniors could grow some food on their own. And she said it would be good to see some sort of financial advisory services and healthcare facilities on-site, too.
But it’s important to maintain the greenery of the property, Stacey said.
“I hope they leave the part on Peter Street, in front of the YMCA, as a place with benches and walkways so people can sit there and enjoy the outdoors,” she said. “It was the track and field grounds for the school, so it's already there, they just need to enhance it.”
Richard Weese said keeping a park on the property should be high priority; affordable housing and financial services for seniors are also important.
“I think a lot of people get to a certain age and they haven't really done a good job of planning,” said the Orillia resident. “They can't really live properly on government handouts.”
Weese was also of the opinion that the hub should have some sort of facilities for resolving homelessness.
“In the summer, there are too many people, even in winter, just lounging around on the streets,” he said. “They're not there because they enjoy it.”
The Lighthouse, said Weese, is just a respite, it’s not solving the problem. However, he said he couldn’t suggest a solution himself.
As well, Weese said, the hub needs to contain services around youth employment.
“But how do you fix that when there are no jobs?” he said.
Further pop-up sessions are planned Tuesday, May 14, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the YMCA on Peter Street North, and the same day at the Common Roof building from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Residents can also provide their feedback online at simcoe.ca/hubsurvey.