The Gardens On Tenth in Altona celebrated its 10th anniversary recently, and board leaders past and present reflected on how it all came together and how far it has come in the past decade.
“I do think 10 years in operation for The Gardens on Tenth deserves a bit of a celebration,” reflected previous board chair David Wiebe.
He recalled years back when the board of directors of the former Ebenezer Home for the Aged, a non-profit seniors housing organization, had a dream to create more seniors housing, and the board made the decision to move forward and purchase two additional properties for $250,000.
“Those two properties plus the one we already owned made it possible for the board to dream bigger,” Wiebe said. “Those three properties is where the west wing of The Gardens is located.”
In April of 2010, there was a visioning day with 55 people representing the churches, community organizations and local governments. Four recommendations emerged, including that it was time to change the name, that people wanted more space and more services, and that they were prepared to pay more for it.
A $3 million fundraising goal was established for a plan that initially was for three phases, with phase one being 44 suites. Community response very quickly told them they needed to expand, so they combined phases one and two for a total of 66 suites.
In the end, the 66 suites had included 48 that were eligible for rental assistance thanks to Manitoba Housing, but that has now increased to 56 suites.
And then there was the fundraising. It was initially about raising $3 million, and they were at $2.75 million when the building opened. Over time, an overall budget of $15 million grew to be $18.5 million.
“It was about the community and what our community and area needed to supply a housing need for seniors,” Wiebe said. “It was also about the right people being in the right place at the right time, and it was the right time for our community.
“But most of all, it was about you, the tenants,” he told the assembled crowd at the celebration, “and the homes and community you have created here together with an amazing staff that help to provide a safe and comfortable environment to help you all live independently for as long as possible.”
“Ten years ago, in 2015, this building opened its doors with a vision: to create a space where older adults in our community could live independently, affordably and with dignity. A place that didn’t just offer housing but offered home,” said current board chair John Falk. “Today, it stands as a cornerstone of senior living in Altona and a testament to what can be achieved when faith, vision and community come together.
“This residence has grown into a vibrant hub of connection and care. It’s a place where neighbours become friends, where lives are enriched by shared experiences and where support is always close by, whether in the form of a friendly hello in the hallway or a program that makes daily life easier and more fulfilling,” he continued. “And just as our community has grown, so has our mission. Over the years, we’ve expanded services and programming to meet the evolving needs of our tenants because we know that aging well isn’t just about where you live but how you live.
“As we look to the future, our commitment remains strong: to be a place of belonging, faith and support for older adults in Altona and beyond.”
