Care Home Could Change Downtown

Posted on 10/16/2015 by Pete McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM

Vernon's mayor says a proposed new seniors home could be the catalyst for revitalization of the city's downtown. H and H Total Care Services has been awarded a contract from Interior Health for 85 publicly-funded beds, planned for two buildings on the current Bennett Parking lot on 29th Avenue. Mayor Akbal Mund says it could give the downtown an economic shot in the arm. "It's going to add probably 200 people downtown on a daily basis. That means every restaurant downtown is going to be busy. All the shop owners downtown are going to be busy, and maybe some of those empty buildings are going to be filled because business are going to want to be downtown," Mund tells Kiss FM. The developer still has some hurdles to clear including finalizing a deal to buy the site from the city. Mund isn't upset that Interior Health announced the plan, even though a deal for the land has not been reached. "Disappointed? No, it's done and it doesn't matter. We keep moving forward, That's what you have to do. Could it have been done better? Yes, but it's done and you don't fret about it," says the first term mayor. Mund says it's hoped a deal can be reached soon with H and H, a Surrey BC based company. He says if the project goes ahead, it will become the tallest two buildings in the city at eight and ten stories. If all goes to plan, the care home could open in 2017.