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Bennett Centre moves forward on its seniors housing apartment CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer Bennett Health Care Centre's (BHCC) plan to build a seniors housing complex took a significant step forward when Halton Hills council approved the Master Development Agreement. BHCC plans to build an agein-place seniors complex that will eventually include two lifelease apartment buildings, a 128bed long-term care facility and a 100-unit supportive care facility on the property on Princess Anne Dr., across from the hospital. First phase, which the nonprofit began selling last spring, is one of the apartment buildings called The Gallery at Bennett Village. BHCC hopes to begin construction this fall with occupancy in 2008. The building's design has been slightly revised, and an additional five units have been added to the building for a total of 105. Council agreed to allocate water from the residential infill pool for these extra units. The Master Development Agreement is a combination of planning processes done in coordination such as a severance application, site plan approval, financing of the joint road between BHCC and the Town, use of a temporary stormwater pond on Town land until the real one is built, deferral of development charges to May 2008, and finally, the release of the building permit when the first coat of asphalt is on the road. The Town's financial share of the road is $160,000. The next steps include the road construction and the temporary storm water pond. Groundbreaking ceremony will be held on October 14 Future residents of The Gallery at Bennett Village and the public are invited to watch Mayor Rick Bonnette and board members officially kickoff construction of this development on Saturday, Oct. 14. It starts with a barbecue on-site at 2 p.m. followed by a groundbreaking ceremony at 3 p.m. "This is an exciting day for the Bennett Centre because it marks the beginning of a new era in providing seniors with private independent living," said Ernie Bodnar, chair of the Land Use Committee for The Gallery. "This development fills a void in housing options currently available. We are creating a unique lifestyle community, which will provide residents with an opportunity to enjoy maintenance-free living in a community of shared values and interests. It is crucial that we, as a society, provide our seniors with lifestyle options; The Gallery accomplishes this." Already more than 60 per cent of the suites, which range in size from 830 sq. ft. to 1,354 sq. ft., have been sold to area residents. The life-lease units give residents the right to occupy a unit and to sell their suite at market value at anytime. Common amenities include a main floor library with fireplace, multi-purpose and games room, woodworking shop, guest suite, wellness and fitness centre, and a car wash bay. For more information about the new apartment building call Paul Skinner, 905-702-1247.