Forty-two more units by April 2010

After years of work, the building of the long-awaited 42-unit apartment building will commence on Thurs, July 2 thanks to a joint effort between the Municipality of Jasper and Mountain Park Lodges (MPL).

Local politicians and business owners gathered Tuesday afternoon for the official ground breaking, with general manager of Mountain Park Lodges Bernhard Scheider, MLA Robin Campbell, Jasper mayor Richard Ireland and municipal services manager Jurgen Deagle wielding shovels.

The building got the go-ahead in February when a grant for $3.2 million from the province came through which also ensures the rental rates are pre-established and fixed for a 20-year operating period at 10 per cent below market rate. 

Mountain Park Lodges will be responsible for the development and operation of the building, as well as donating the land, which is at the north end of Geikie Street, and $1.37 million in capital funding towards the project. 

“It’s been a five-year struggle, but here we are today,” said Bernhard Schneider, general manager of Mountain Park Lodges.

“This is a win win for the community of Jasper,” he added.

In an effort to meet the goals set out in the 2002 Jasper Housing Study, the units will be available to anyone whose incomes falls below an established income threshold.

Campbell said he understood that it was “really tough” for young adults and newcomers to Jasper to find affordable housing, citing these units as a solution to that problem.

A sentiment echoed by Richard Ireland, mayor of Jasper, who said that although the construction of the units was a great day, the real time to celebrate would be in April 2010 when “people actually get a bed under them and a roof over their head. That will be a great day.”