The official groundbreaking ceremony for Knox Centre, a four-storey affordable housing complx on Church Church Road, was held last Wednesday.
The new building, adjacent to Knox Presbyterian Church, includes 42 affordable rental apartments, community amenity space, a café and church annex.
The 2110 Church Rd. building will have ground floor commercial space.
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“I think the society’s vision to address the needs of the community are well served in this development,” said Andy Orr, project manager.
The district of Sooke waived development cost charges and building permit fees on the $11.3-million building, and council is considering a permissive tax exemption. Sooke School District and B.C. Housing also provided incentives to keep building costs low.
The provincial government is contributing $5.35 million through its provincial housing strategy, which aims to build 114,000 new units of affordable housing throughout B.C.
“This is what it means to bring a community together for the greater good. Council is pleased to been able to support this project and are extremely grateful for all the effort put forward by the Knox Vision Society,” said Sooke Coun. Brenda Parkinson.
Construction of Knox Centre began in January and is scheduled to be completed by late fall. Residents are expected to move in next January.
editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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