The Vermilion District Housing Foundation is getting closer to their goal of completely restoring the Vermilion Lodge seniors centre.
Over the last week, the VDHF has received donations from Vermilion’s Masonic Lodge #24 and Eastern Star #22 for $25,000, $10,000 from Bykowski Sand & Gravel and another $25,000 from Long’s Value Drug Mart.
The project’s goal is to completely rebuild the Vermilion Valley Lodge. The seniors centre was originally built in 1960 and the Vermilion District Housing Foundation will tear it down to build a modern facility. The building will have 52 new rooms, a dining room, recreational spaces and updated kitchen facilities.
VDHF Chief Administrative Officer Sherri Heller says the donations will help seniors in the community be more comfortable.
“Everything we have is very very old. It’s like 1970’s vintage and I don’t want to take old furniture into a brand-new building, so we’re replacing it all and making things more comfortable. Their rooms are larger, they’re going from some of our smallest rooms, an 8×10 living area to a 350 square feet. They will really enjoy space and it will feel more like a home.”
The project’s goal is to raise 1.5 million dollars, and these donations now have them sitting at just under 1.2 million.
Heller says they are blessed by the community coming together.
“We started this campaign in February-March and so to have this much money happen so quickly is it’s blowing everyone out of the water. Everyone understands how important our seniors are, they built our community, they’ve supported our businesses and now it’s time for these businesses and communities to support them back and they’re so willing to do so, it’s amazing.”
People wanting to donate can find information at local businesses in Vermilion or the VDHFÂ website.