Debbie and Jim MacKinnon, who are tenants of the new seniors housing complex called Cora’s Place in a wing of the former Seton Elementary School in North Sydney, say they have everything they need in their new apartment. They moved into their new place after living in their home in Frenchvale for 45 years. Photo by T.J. Colello /Cape Breton PostArticle contentDebbie and Jim MacKinnon have everything they need in their bright, new apartment, including peace of mind.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentThe couple lived in Frenchvale for 45 years before moving into a recently opened seniors’ housing unit completed in a wing of the former Seton Elementary School in North Sydney.Article contentArticle content“It’s everything a person needs,” Debbie MacKinnon, 74, said following an official unveiling of 19 seniors housing units on Thursday. “We’re comfortable. We don’t miss anything where we used to live because we have it all here.Article contentArticle content“It’s time to downsize and everything we need is here. No clutter.”Article contentBefore she retired, Debbie was a cleaner for the Cape Breton-Victoria Regional Centre for Education. She worked at the former MacLennan Junior High School in Westmount for 20 years.Article contentThere’s a lot less cleaning involved in their new housing unit that was formerly a classroom. She said the space is much more manageable for her and her husband.Article content“There’s no work. You sweep the floor and you’re done,” she said.Article content Sydney-Glace Bay MP Mike Kelloway speaks with Cora’s Place residents Debbie MacKinnon, left, and Georgina Keeping following the official opening of the senior’s housing complex on Thursday in North Sydney. Photo by T.J. Colello /Cape Breton PostArticle content‘WON THE LOTTO’Article contentJim MacKinnon, 78, said they’ve been looking to get a place for the past two years and when they got the call, it was “like we won the lotto.” They were among 85 applications looking to move into one of the 19 units.Article content“Just the burden of looking after your own place, the upkeep – it was hard and it got harder as we got older,” said the retired welder. “This is the answer for anybody that’s of age, if they can get into one of these.”Article contentArticle contentIt’s been a couple of months since they’ve moved into the space, and he said being with the other residents has created “a nice, little community.”Article contentArticle content“We all moved in pretty well at the same time,” said Jim, who praised the staff and work of the North Sydney Food Bank Society, the group behind the project. “You get to know everybody. You walk around and there’s always somebody sitting out waiting to talk to you, so it’s fun.”Article contentSHARED FUNDINGArticle contentThe federal government put forward $1.7 million for the project through the Affordable Housing Fund, which provides funding through low-interest and/or forgivable loans or contributions to partner organizations for new, affordable housing and the renovation and repair of existing affordable and community housing.Article contentAnother $1.6 million came from the provincial Department of Growth and Development, with $200,000 from Efficiency Nova Scotia and $90,078 in cash equity from the North Sydney Food Bank Society.
New seniors housing welcome at former Cape Breton elementary school
