[SteelTown]

$60 million investment for south Mountain
Ten storey building part of major expansion at Wentworth Heights

By Mark Newman, News Staff

A Kitchener retirement-nursing home company is looking to build a 10 storey senior’s apartment complex on the north-west corner of Upper Wentworth and Rymal.

The 85-unit apartment building is the centerpiece of the proposed major expansion of The Village of Wentworth Heights that was brought to the city’s planning committee Aug. 8.

“It’s about a 55 or 60 million dollar project,” said James Schlegel, president and CEO of Schlegel Villages, which owns the 120 bed nursing home that opened in October 2001.

If the cost of the nursing home is included, Schlegel said they’re overall investment in Hamilton will be close to $100 million.

“It’s a significant investment in the community.”

Schlegel said they are hoping to begin construction next summer and it will take about two years to complete.

The company’s plan sees the 10 storey apartment building flanked on either side by three-storey retirement home suites, featuring 188 units.

A community medical centre is planned for the west side of the new development and there will also be a town square and outdoor walking areas for the residents.

“There’s a significant need for this sort of continuum of care complex,” said Schlegel, who noted it will enable seniors to live independently with the option of adding more care as required in one location.

He said the expansion means 150 new jobs for the community.

The nursing home has about 120 employees.

Some committee members were concerned the 183 parking sports included in the development may not be enough.

Planning consultant Glenn Wellings said, based on the experience at other Schlegel properties, only about 10 percent of the residents are expected to drive.

While city planning staff is recommending the proposal be approved, two members of the public voiced their opposition to the development.

Valerio Cesarini, who lives on Rymal Road near the nursing home, said the proposed 10 storey building is out of character with the neighbourhood.

“It’s going to be an eyesore to everybody,” Cesarini said. “It’s going to shadow our property.”

Bordeaux Court resident Gilbert Deschatelets said he was concerned the development would mean more traffic in the area.

George Zajac, a planner with IBI Group representing the Rymal Square plaza across the street from Wentworth Heights, said he wasn’t opposed to the project but was concerned about overflow parking from the new complex spilling into the plaza parking lot.

The committee agreed to put the matter on hold for 60 days to enable Ward 7 councillor Scott Duvall to meet with the objectors and discuss their concerns.

Duvall said he had not heard of the two resident’s objections prior to the committee meeting.

“I’m not hearing a big backlash from people,” said the councillor, who added he supports the development in principle.

“This is a good news story of having this expansion for our seniors,” Duvall said.