It’s moving day for the first residents who will call home the new seniors’ apartments on Front Street.

Some residents of the new building almost across from the Whitehorse Public Library were set to move in today after Thursday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the official opening.

“I am proud to officially open another modern, accessible and affordable seniors’ housing residence,” Premier Darrell Pasloski said of the 48 one-bedroom unit-building with common areas and a deck on each of the four levels.

Praising the work of all involved in the building, Pasloski noted the numerous accessibility features throughout the structure.

The final cost of $12.1 million was well below the $16 million originally budgeted, he pointed out.

The original budget was based on estimates from the construction of similar buildings like the Alexander Street facility.

The bids, however, came in at a lower cost, explained Doug Caldwell, a spokesman for the Yukon Housing Corp.

The move to baseboard electric heat also played a role, Caldwell added.

It eliminated the more labour-intensive installation of boilers and other equipment that comes from oil or propane heat in favour of the more simple installation of baseboard heating.

“We’re also reducing our carbon footprint,” Caldwell noted of the electric heating.

It involves none of the annual maintenance that a force-air heating system does.

Stacey Hassard, the minister responsible for the housing corporation, spoke of the planning and work that went into the building.

“Seniors are the fastest-growing population in the Yukon,” he said.

Along with numerous accessibility features, the location will mean easy access to services in the downtown core and places like the library, he added.

The downtown neighbourhood also features flat terrain, making it easier for residents to go for a stroll.

The building is energy-efficient, with electric heating, triple-paned windows, heat recovery ventilators, R-40 walls and R-60 ceilings.

A closed-circuit intercom will enable residents to see visitors before they let them into the building.

Each unit is equipped with a place to recharge electric scooters with hallways wide enough to accommodate scooters and wheelchairs.

The building is also the first seniors’ residence for the territory to feature a backup generator that will supply power to an elevator and common areas in the building.

Hassard noted he envisions the residence as a place where old friends may gather and new friendships may be made among the neighbours.

“We are pleased to offer quality independent-living options for fixed-income seniors through Yukon Housing Corporation’s social housing program,” he said.

“We are hearing very positive feedback about how residents’ quality of life is improved with our newest buildings’ design, location and accessibility features.”

This marks the third seniors’ residence built over the last three years, including another facility on Alexander Street in Whitehorse and a sixplex opened recently in Mayo.

Janet Moodie, the housing corporation’s board chair, also addressed the approximately 50 people who turned out for the opening, thanking all who were involved in the apartments’ planning and building.

“It’s a wonderful building,” she said, noting the corporation’s goal is to increase the availability of affordable accommodation.

“I believe we are making good progress on that strategic goal,” Moodie said.

For those in Yukon Housing homes, rent is set at a rate of 25 per cent of a tenant’s gross income.

A tour of the building showcased the large common rooms which feature seating and some kitchen facilities as well as the different apartment types - including one of the 10 fully accessible units designed for those who use wheelchairs.

Rick Goodfellow, who sits on Yukon Housing’s accessibility committee, was quick to show off the features of the unit. Those include the counter that uses hydraulics to adjust the height of the stove and sink.

The feature was first added in the Alexander Street residence.

As Goodfellow noted, it allows for easier access for all – including those who might want the counter lowered as well as for taller people who may want it a little higher.

Clearance beneath the sink means residents don’t have to bump up against a counter and strain when they reach to do dishes.

The controls closer to the front of the stove mean there’s little chance of catching the heat from a burner when turning another one on, Goodfellow pointed out.

Appliances are placed in areas that allow access to both sides, and electrical outlets are placed within easy reach.

“This whole layout was on purpose,” he said.

The more accessible units are also designed with a no-barrier shower allowing easy access.

While the other units include more conventional items like a tub/shower combination, they include a number of features aimed at allowing independent seniors to “age in place.”

A number of grab bars are part of the washroom.

As well, there’s space and a plug-in for a scooter along with an open concept that makes it easier to get around.

The lever-style door handles make it easier to use doors, and the open concept throughout the apartment make it easy to move around.

The addition of the 48 apartment units, which measure between 650 and 700 square feet each, brings the total number of Yukon Housing social housing units for all types up to 706.