When the Cochrane District Services Board did not secure funding to turn the former Ramada Inn into a centre to treat people with addictions and shelter people who are homeless, it decided to move forward with Plan B.
Throughout the rest of the year, it will work on turning the former 105-room hotel into a facility for seniors and people with disabilities.
Anyone 50 or older who doesn’t want to worry about cooking or cleaning may be considered as a tenant.
At this time, this will not be a geared-to-income housing facility, said Jean Carriere, the board’s director of health.
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“The way that the geared-to-income is set up, there’s no supports for seniors, so we do have to look at the viability of the facility,” said Carriere.
“Supports are expensive.”
But, Carriere said as a not-for-profit housing operation, the rental fees will be about mid-range.
Renovations are underway at the property and Carriere said the board is aiming for a January 2026 move-in date.
He suggested there are about 100 people on a waiting list for this type of housing in Timmins and said there are more than 800 people throughout the district waiting to get into social housing.
“The building is 50 years old. There is some updating that is required,” Carriere said.
“It’s a two-story, we do have to invest in an elevator.”
The agency wants to make sure the kitchen and decor is updated to make the facility as welcoming as possible, he said.
Carriere added that it’s also necessary to ensure accessible rooms are also available.
Next steps will be consultations with the public and with community partners, including those that are Indigenous.
The property will also need to be re-zoned.
