‘Significant breach of faith’: Moncton group upset after plan for seniors centre scrapped

A planned seniors centre in Moncton has seemingly fallen through.

A group of seniors in Moncton, N.B., is deeply disappointed and frustrated about what they’re calling a “significant setback” in their search for a new community centre.

Project 1010, a group of seniors looking to find space for a new centre, had hoped to move into the bottom floor of the former Wawanesa Insurance building at 1010 St. George Blvd.

The not-for-profit organization Rising Tide purchased the vacant three-storey building late last year with plans to renovate it to create affordable housing units for seniors.

The seniors’ group had hoped to move into the bottom floor to create a space missing since the Moncton Lions Community Centre was repurposed into a homeless shelter and resource hub in 2022.

But a news release sent Tuesday by Rising Tide has dashed those hopes.

Rising Tide scraps plan for seniors’ centre

Rising Tide said it was considering housing the seniors’ centre on the bottom floor, but timelines associated with a motion agreed to by Moncton City Council and Project 1010 last month would cause a delay with a construction project that was further than what was intended.

On April 22, Moncton City Council ratified a funding agreement giving Project 1010 the green light to lease the bottom floor from Rising Tide.

In a news release, Project 1010 spokesperson Dennis Cochrane said, “Sadly and regrettably” Rising Tide has withdrawn its plans to designate the first floor to a new centre and instead will rent the space to another group.

Cochrane said their “gentleman’s agreement” with Rising Tide has been abandoned.

“This decision follows months of working together on the unique combination of affordable apartments and a centre for seniors,” said Cochrane. “The decision to abandon this plan represents a significant breach of faith and commitment to thousands of Moncton seniors.”

In its news release, Rising Tide said the April 22 motion outlined 16 conditions that had to be met by Project 1010.

A key condition Rising Tide said would take additional time was Project 1010’s ability to develop a clear and concise business plan for long-term sustainability.

Rising Tide President Dale Hicks said their organization must ensure every project has a clear business case that will guarantee financial sustainability.

“Unfortunately, the discussion between the city and senior group was not as far advanced as we had hoped,” said Hicks in the news release. “The board was looking for a 20-year plan to ensure the viability of the seniors’ centre operation.”

‘Disrespectful behaviour’

Cochrane said the “abrupt abandonment” of the relationship with the 1010 Seniors Centre Inc. – a company formed with the goal to apply for not-for-profit status – is troubling after Moncton City Council accepted the proposal.

“It is difficult not to view this as disrespectful behaviour and a callous disregard for the time and effort spent by the 1010 Seniors Team, Moncton City Council and staff,” said Cochrane.

The group had asked for $1.1 million from the City of Moncton to cover a 20-year lease and another $689,000 for renovations and supplies.

In April, Coun. Daniel Bourgeois said the city had laid out 14 to 15 conditions, including being self-sufficient within five years, working out a deal with Rising Tide and being incorporated.

Cochrane said his group will continue to work to establish another centre somewhere else in the city.

Medical clinic to move into ground floor

Rising Tide’s plan to build 30 affordable apartment units for seniors on the top two floors will continue, while the ground floor will be leased to a group of doctors for a collaborative medical clinic.

Hicks said the revised plan will allow them to continue with their affordable housing mandate while also improving health care for residents.

“In addition, the group of doctors leasing the space have committed to providing primary medical care to the 30 senior residents living in the building,” said Hicks.

The proposed agreement with the group of doctors is for a 20-year period.

“Rising Tide is willing to continue to work with the City of Moncton and the seniors for an activity centre as part of another project,” Hicks said.

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