Dryden Council has accepted an application to re-zone the former Pinewood School site to establish a 15-unit multi-residential residence for single Indigenous mothers and their children.
The four year pilot project gives eligible women an opportunity to obtain a College diploma and get them off social assistance.
The Kenora District Services Board is one of the partners and Chief Administrative Officer Henry Wall says the goal is to have eligible women staying in Dryden and working in a career that they can be proud of and be self-sufficient.
Wall believes the project will pave the future towards how they deliver social assistance, help families and break the cycle of poverty.
The home will include a child care centre, resource centre, a playground and parking.
Officials plan landscaping upgrades outside and significant work inside the aging building.
Wall notes the community seems to be on board with the project and notes they will continue to work with nearby residents to address their concerns.
He stresses this is a community project and they want to be open during all stages of the project.
The KDSB reached out to 64 households and received 23-responses.
20-were favourable, while three had concerns.
Wall says some believe the home should be open to all women and even single dads.
He notes he understands those concerns and says the pilot project could lead to additional housing units down the road to address those needs.
Dryden Staff say the proposal meets their standards and coincides with their official plan aimed at creating additional revenue streams and the City acting as an education hub.
Early estimates have the project generating roughly $3-million in revenue through construction as well as a number of programming jobs being created.
The application will now go through the City’s re-zoning process.
Wall hopes to have the facility open next Spring.
A number of agencies are involved in the project and to learn more visit the Audio link below.
