Kimberley’s seniors are going to have a few more choices when it comes to housing in the near future as the Kimberley Lions Project Society, along with their partner group Kimberley Seniors Housing, have announced they have hired an architect and development team for a new seniors housing complex..

Shovels will be in the ground this year, likely in the spring, said spokesperson Bert Banks.

The first 40 unit building will go up on Church Street, on the site of the two current Pioneer Lodge buildings. The three tenants in the Pioneer buildings have been moved to vacant apartments in Lions Manor, Banks said.

“We’re definitely looking after those folks,” he said.

“Bentsen Development out of Kelowna has been hired as the architectural firm and they will also oversee construction,” Banks said. “We have some funding from BC Housing and are awaiting word on other grants as well.

“We’re pretty sure we will get further funding.”

The building will be a 50/50 split between rentals and owned units, and Banks said the hope was that 50 per cent sales could be reached. “The more sales, the more the mortgage is cut down. If the mortgage is down, rent is down.

The Kimberley Lions are planning an open house on March 31 at Centennial Hall, at which they will present their plans.

“We hope to have videos, answer any questions and have costs by then,” Banks said. “If people are interested and want to pre-buy, we’ll have a real estate agent available to walk them through the process.

Banks said he believed a waiting list for units would be available for sign up at the meeting.

“We’re very excited. We’re anxious to get going.”