Verdun Attentive to its Residents Seniors with a new residence

"This project is fulfilling a promise we had made during the last election campaign and, above all, reflects our determination to be attentive to our residents' wants and needs. On many an occasion, seniors have informed us of their desire to remain in the community, near their core family and the services to which they have become accustomed for many years," pointed out Mayor Trudel. "We're pleased to have contributed toward offering them a type of housing that meets their expectations," he hastened to add.

In addition to the Borough Mayor, City Councillors Ginette Marotte and Alain Tassé, Borough Councillor, Paul Beaupré, as well as representatives of Groupe Maxera/Vinac, the project developers, were on hand at this meeting.

As it may be recalled, the construction of Gaétan-Laberge Boulevard, inaugurated in September 2005, made it possible to clear an area of residential development along this urban artery. In order to make up for the lack of available residences for seniors in this part of Verdun, the Borough set aside a 6,918-square metre piece of land on Gaétan-Laberge Boulevard, near Rhéaume Street, in order to erect such a building.

Then, through the usual regulatory process and examination of the proposals submitted, the Borough agreed to sell that land to Groupe Maxera/Vinac for $1,100,000. In return, the developer consented to building a residence there that will meet the Borough's demands as well as the needs often expressed by the seniors in the community. This developer's expertise in building this type of high-quality housing is beyond question. This firm has already built a number of similar projects and, in fact, was honoured with the 2001 Rose d’Or award as well as the 2001 and 2004 Cœur d’Or by the Fédération de l’âge d’or du Québec (FADOQ). This 10-storey residential complex will have 180 units of various sizes and is slated to be ready for its first occupants in the summer of 2008. To be called Le Sommet de la rive, it will offer a wide range of services for active, autonomous retirees and semi-autonomous ones. In addition to the usual nursing care and security services found at this type of residence, the tenants will have access to such other amenities as a pool, an exercise room, a movie theatre and a library. And lastly, another important feature that is bound to please future occupants should be mentioned: this residence will be located just a few steps from the Verdun hospital, De l’Église metro station and the many commercial establishments and services on Wellington Street.