Duncan Manor proposal provides benefit to all
I participated in the informative public consultation meeting offered by Duncan Housing Society regarding the long overdue upgrading and enhancement of Duncan Manor and Centennial Park. Duncan Manor provides affordable housing for our citizens… our sisters, brothers, parents, and grandparents who might otherwise be homeless. Unfortunately, the 50-year-old building forces many to live without private bathing facilities, with inadequate or non-existing food preparation areas, and in “apartments” that we who are more fortunate might consider to be a nice walk-in closet. It is past time for Duncan Manor residents to share a tiny amount of the bounty of British Columbia.
The three-storey Duncan Manor on that space is an inefficient use of real estate. In redevelopment, Duncan Housing Society will not only provide better, safer, housing. The Society will actually give land to expand Centennial Park, making a larger and better park for all citizens. Unused DHS land will be preserved for potential affordable housing for families.
It is rare that a development provides net benefit to all. Proceeding with this project will be a fine example of “When they win, we win.”
Ernie Gorrie
Duncan