Elliot Lake, a northern Ontario city, reinvented itself as a retirement community after uranium mines closed, largely due to the non-profit Retirement Living managing affordable housing. However, Peter Harris, CEO of Silver Birch Centre, now argues that Retirement Living is hindering the city's progress by not selling off housing stock, which he estimates could generate $9 million annually to address the city's crumbling infrastructure, including a closed arena and a previously collapsed mall. Retirement Living has declined to comment, while Mayor Andrew Wannan has invited Harris to present his concerns to the city council.
A seniors housing non-profit saved Elliot Lake, but now a local charity says its holding the city back
Elliot LakeOntarioRetirementLifestyle
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Elliot Lake, a northern Ontario city, reinvented itself as a retirement community after uranium mines closed, largely due to the non-profit Retirement Living managing affordable housing. However, Peter Harris, CEO of Silver Birch Centre, now argues that Retirement Living is hindering the city's progress by not selling off housing stock, which he estimates could generate $9 million annually to address the city's crumbling infrastructure, including a closed arena and a previously collapsed mall. Retirement Living has declined to comment, while Mayor Andrew Wannan has invited Harris to present his concerns to the city council.
- 1 1950s: Old neighbourhoods in Elliot Lake were built.
- 2 1970s: The last big construction boom in Elliot Lake occurred.
- 3 1990: The uranium mines closed, and Retirement Living was created to manage housing.
- 4 2012: Elliot Lake's Algo Centre Mall collapsed.
- 5 2014: The Report of the Elliot Lake Commission of Inquiry criticized NorDev (a subsidiary of Retirement Living).
- 6 September 2023: Elliot Lake's only arena was closed.
- 7 End of 2024: The municipal swimming pool re-opened after two years of renovations.
- 8 Current: Peter Harris argues Retirement Living should sell off some of its housing stock.
- 9 Current: Elliot Lake Mayor Andrew Wannan invites Peter Harris to present at an upcoming city council meeting.
- Potential for improved city infrastructure if housing stock is sold
- Ongoing tension between the local charity and the non-profit
- Public debate over the non-profit's role and assets
- Potential for policy changes regarding Retirement Living's operations
What: A local charity, Silver Birch Centre, alleges that Retirement Living, a seniors housing non-profit, is holding Elliot Lake back by not selling its housing stock to fund critical infrastructure repairs.
When: The uranium mines closed in the past. Retirement Living was created in 1990. The Algo Centre Mall collapsed in 2012. The arena closed in September 2023. The municipal swimming pool re-opened at the end of 2024. Peter Harris is currently arguing for the sale of housing stock.
Where: Elliot Lake, northern Ontario, Canada.
Why: Elliot Lake faces a severe infrastructure deficit with decaying streets, sewers, and water mains, and has experienced past infrastructure failures (mall collapse, arena closure). Peter Harris believes Retirement Living's assets could fund these repairs, but the non-profit is perceived as prioritizing its own management over the city's financial needs.
How: Retirement Living manages and rents out housing stock originally built for mine workers. Peter Harris proposes selling 20-30 homes annually to generate an estimated $9 million. Retirement Living has chosen not to comment publicly. Elliot Lake Mayor Andrew Wannan has invited Harris to present his proposal to the city council.