An Abbeyfield House for Lakefield seniors is one step closer to reality
Photo Credit: The Examiner Peterborough
Abbeyfield House Society of Lakefield has purchased a house and four acres in Lakefield on which they hope to build an affordable, independent-living home for 12 – 14 local middle-class seniors.
Founded by Lakefield senior Dewi Jones over four years ago, Abbeyfield House Society of Lakefield is a registered charity established to raise funds to build and manage an independent-living community home for Lakefield seniors – providing them with a family -ike atmosphere. The concept provides residents with their own rooms and ensuites, with shared living areas and kitchens. The home provides comfortable and affordable accommodation, balancing companionship, security and independence. A successful international concept, there are hundreds of Abbeyfield homes around the world and over 20 in Canada. The homes are owned and managed by a volunteer Board of Directors and there is a home manager who looks after the residents’ needs.
Abbeyfield’s Volunteer Board of Directors have been looking for an appropriate property for years. In July of 2020 Abbeyfield President Ron Black made a presentation to Selwyn Township Council asking about the possibility of declaring an unused piece of land in downtown Lakefield surplus and donating it to Abbeyfield. Council denied the request but as a result of the awareness raised, members of the Heffernan family reached out to Abbeyfield to discuss the appropriateness of their property at 93 Ermatinger Street. This approximately four-acre property was owned by Jeannie Heffernan for the past seven years, and previously by Kevin and Barbara Heffernan for 40 years. Family business Heffernan Electric has been operating in the Lakefield area since 1958. The family really liked the idea that the next stage in the use of their family homestead would serve to help seniors in Lakefield. The purchase closed on January 29, 2021.
“We have finally reached a very important turning point in the process,” says founding President and project visionary Dewi Jones. “With the acquisition of property that has taken all this time to find, we are now much closer to reaching our ultimate goal.”
“The acquisition of the Heffernan property is an important step not only for Abbeyfield Lakefield but also for our community. Our new House will provide local seniors with an affordable housing option that will allow them to continue being active members of our community for many years,” added Ron Black.
Going forward, Abbeyfield will work with various stakeholders including neighbours, Selwyn Township, Peterborough County and other regulatory bodies as well as government agencies that could fund the build through grants and financing to determine next best steps to building the Abbeyfield House on the property. A fundraising campaign will be launched in the months to come. There is currently a house on the lot which Abbeyfield, Heffernan Electric and various community volunteers prepared for rental purposes until the project moves forward.
“Now that we have a viable property on which to build our Abbeyfield House, we are looking forward to engaging with community stakeholders to create a project that meets the needs of seniors for many years to come,” said Black.