23/04/07 - Doors open to New Eight-Plex for persons with Disabilities

YELLOWKNIFE (23 April 2007) - A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on March 16, 2007 to recognize the completion of a new eight-plex building specifically designed for persons with disabilities. The building is located at 5113-53rd Street in Yellowknife

The Honourable Joe Handley, Minister Responsible for the Northwest Territories Housing Corporation and Mr. Bill Burles a Director for the NWT Council for Persons with Disabilities cut the ribbon marking the completion of this project.

The ceremony continued inside in the common area on the second floor where Minister Handley, Honourable Charles Dent, Minister Responsible for Persons with Disabilities and Ms. Doreen Baptiste Board Chair for the NWT Council of Persons with Disabilities spoke of the significance of having this type of building in Yellowknife. Attendees were invited to walk through the building, viewing the various two bedroom suites and seeing first hand the level of detail taken to ensure that the building will cater to the needs of its future residents.

Some key features of the new eight plex include:

  - Barrier free kitchen sinks

  - Tempering valves on all plumbing fixtures to prevent scalding

  - Barrier free bathrooms

  - Combination washing machine and dryer in each suite

  - High contrast colour scheme to help the visually impaired

  - A parking area that accommodates vehicles with ramps and lifts

This project would not have been possible without the contributions of stakeholders. Some of the groups that assisted with the project are the NWT Council for Persons with Disabilities, the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, the Wheelchair Society of Canada, the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, the Yellowknife Housing Authority and physiotherapists at Stanton Territorial Hospital The contributions of these groups as well as those of individuals were fundamental to the successful design and completion of this new eight-plex.

This building brings the total number of public housing units modified for persons with disabilities to eighteen in Yellowknife and reflects the Corporation's commitment to ensuring there is a sufficient supply of affordable, adequate and suitable housing to meet the housing needs of Northwest Territories residents.

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