Wolseley residents could soon know the fate of the Old Grace Hospital site at 189 Evanson St. Manitoba Housing and Renewal Corporation (MHRC) has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) from parties interested in developing housing on that site. In preparation for new development the government is in the process of demolishing existing buildings on site.
It was about 3 years ago when the Manitoba Government last announced plans to decommission the Old Grace Hospital facility. In response some Wolseley residents,and others interested in living cooperatively in the Wolseley community got together to discuss the possibility of developing a non-profit housing cooperative on that site. Today this group has grown to 60 members and is legally incorporated as the Old Grace Not for Profit Housing Co-operative (OGHC).
Over the past two years, OGHC members have been busy setting up our co-operative organization, researching housing design options, and investigating sources of funding. To assist us with project development we have retained the services of DSI Tandem Ltd., experienced developers of cooperative housing in Manitoba. We have also retained the services of Prairie Architects Inc. and landscape architects HTFC Planning and Design to carry out the development of the site should our proposal be selected.
Our vision is to develop a nonprofit housing cooperative where all members are involved in decision making. We are planning to be an inter-generational community, therefore the complex would include different sized units. Our intention is to construct housing that is as “green“ as possible, minimizes the impact of vehicle parking and fits aesthetically within the surrounding community. To reflect government priorities it would be a mixture of affordable and market housing.
We don’t plan to include any commercial enterprises that would compete with existing neighborhood businesses.
We are preparing a proposal to submit to MHRC for a housing development that will meet the needs of our membership, conform to Government requirements, and be a positive contribution to the Wolseley community.
Important to the success of our project will be that we meet the expectations of the Wolseley community and that the community expresses support for our proposal. Please check out our web site to find out more about our plans as they unfold and provide us with feedback. www.oldgracehousingcoop.ca
If you are interested in applying to become a member of the Old Grace Housing Co-operative e-mail oldgracehousingcoop@gmail.com and we will send you an information package and a membership application..
The Board of Directors
Old Grace Housing Cooperative