The conversion of the old Pinewood School is pretty much complete and a new home for single, Indigenous mothers will be open come the New Year.
The 15-unit multi-residential home will include a child care centre and a family children’s resource centre.
Kenora District Services Board Chief Administrative Officer Henry Wall says he’s so excited to see the project about done, noting it’s a fantastic feeling.
Wall says “to be able to have worked with the community and also with the Aboriginal Housing Services and the Dryden Native Friendship Centre is quite a neat feeling.”
The project gives eligible women an opportunity to obtain a College diploma and get them off social assistance.
Wall believes the project will pave the future towards how they deliver social assistance, help families and break the cycle of poverty.
The vision was first unveiled to the public in April, 2017 with Council approving the sale of the shuttered school in October.
The province came through with $2.9-million to support the child care centre inside the building.
Wall says the next step for the KDSB is moving forward with the development of a Seniors housing complex behind the building.
It will be a 40 unit complex on the far east of the property.
