Can the now-closed Burquitlam Lions Care Centre be revitalized for some other social housing or health care use?
That’s the question the city of Coquitlam is pondering as it looks for a partner with deep pockets to renovate and re-purpose the 37-year-old facility for housing, health care or other social program.
Earlier this month, the city posted a request for expressions of interest for the building at 560 Sydney Ave. that once provided 24-hour nursing care for approximately 76 seniors.
The facility was shut down in 2016 when Fraser Health built a new complex care facility in Port Coquitlam so the city got back the property it donated in 1969 for seniors housing.
“There may be some creative solutions,” said Mayor Richard Stewart, who told The Tri-City News that the city is looking for a major partner, either for-profit or a not-for-profit agency to get some additional use out of the building.
“Council wanted to and I agreed to figure out whether the building could provide some other types of benefits that could be for 20 years,” said Stewart, acknowledging that the long term plan for the property is for high density apartment residential use under the Burquitlam-Lougheed Neighbourhood Plan.
However, the building is currently zoned P2 special institution, which allows for congregate housing and care or community care.
It currently consists of a main level with a dining area, entry, meeting rooms and offices, and two floors with a total of 76 bed units with care team support spaces.
But repairs and renovations would be needed ranging from a building refresh, costing $2.7 million with $6 million in upgrades to a full retrofit costing up to $13.5 million.
Stewart said the city could simply knock down the building and sell the property for high rises but with affordable housing at a premium council agreed to look at other options first.
“My hope is someone with creativity and a really neat plan could make something of it,” Stewart said.
Among the uses proposed by the city are: supportive and assisted living, mental health living and services, medical clinics and medical offices, complex care, health care and support, below market rental housing, special needs/accessible housing, student housing solutions and housing for seniors.
