The Vimy Heritage Housing Society is shooting for the end of the year to make a final decision on whether to proceed with its 75-unit independent living complex for seniors.

Society president Ranjit Sarin said two open houses to discuss the supportive living project were held last week.

“I think it went very well,” Sarin said in an interview last week. “It was very encouraging, very positive.

“People lingered and asked all kinds of questions.”

An architect’s concept of the building design was presented at the open houses.

Sarin said the society has 100 paid members, and if the facility were to open right now, they have commitments that would see over half of the facility filled.

But the society wants to explore the interest in the community further to see if they’re on the right track in terms of the design and services that would be provided, he said.

Before they take the next step of pursuing funding for the final design work from CMHC, Sarin said, they want to confirm there is interest in the community for the project.

The society would also need to secure private financing from financial institutions, he pointed out.

He said it’s estimated the project would cost $25 million in today’s dollars.

“Interest from the public is fundamental,” Sarin said, adding the society hopes to make a decision on whether to proceed by the end of the year.

The Yukon government is holding a lot in the Whistle Bend subdivision for the development.

Sarin said Vimy Heritage is planning a mix of one- and two-bedroom units with kitchenettes.

There would be a common dining area where residents would receive two meals a day.

There would also be a common area where residents could host family and friends for parties and gatherings.

The society president said the demographics show a significant increase over the next five years in the number of seniors living in the Yukon.

From a cost perspective, he said, the independent living complex makes sense.

Sarin said the monthly rent would range around $2,500 to $2,700, which would include the meals.

By comparison, he pointed out, it costs the Yukon government about $10,000 a month for each resident of the Whistle Bend Place long-term care facility.

The Vimy Heritage Housing Society was formed eight years ago to pursue a supportive, independent living complex for seniors.

The society has received grants over the years to advance the project proposal.