Despite some comments by the public about Berwick possibly pulling out of the Parksville location, a representative with Berwick Retirement Communities says no decision has been made yet.
During last week’s public hearing on the supportive housing project, a number of people made reference to the proposed location of the newest Berwick Retirement Communities location (across Corfield Street from the planned supportive housing project).
RELATED: Supportive housing project divides Parksville
One person, Ron Chiovetti, said he’d heard Berwick is “very nervous” about the Corfield project. A number of other residents at the public hearing also spoke about the concerns of Berwick Parksville being located nearby the supportive housing project and the possibility of the major developer pulling out of the project.
Chiovetti also referenced a major investor (who some believe to be Berwick) in the city who was willing to re-purchase 222 Corfield St. and build affordable housing and “not (use) a dime of taxpayers money.”
Lena Foran, Berwick sales and marketing director, said there is definitely no truth to Berwick being involved in an affordable housing project, adding that it is probably a rumour going around the community.
The City of Parksville was unable to comment on Chiovetti’s comments about an investor as council and staff cannot comment on anything related to 222 Corfield St. or the public hearing until the vote on third reading which will be July 4.
Foran told The NEWS that in terms of pulling out of the proposed Parksville location, Berwick is in talks with the city and is reviewing its options.
As for when a decision could be made, Foran said she doesn’t know when the timeline will be on “(firming) up a decision on that.”
“We are definitely aware of the situation and we are in talks with the city and we are assessing at this point our options,” Foran said. “As far as I know, we haven’t made the final decision to pull out, but we are still in the process of figuring things out on our end.”
Plans for a Parksville Berwick location first came to the attention of The NEWS in April after a sign was put up at the location at 180 Jensen Ave. The proposed facility would have 188 units — double the size of the Qualicum Beach location which is currently being built.
RELATED: Berwick plans for Parksville location
A link to the proposed Parksville location is still included on Berwick’s website.
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