Seniors Housing in Stonewall will see a major boost in the near future. Stonewall's council has approved the expansion of the Lions Manor, which will see the addition of a floor with 72 units put in place. Mayor Lockie McLean says the public hearing on the project took place this week, as the building would exceed their building by-law's maximum height of 45 feet. He notes council unanimously supported the project, allowing for a maximum height of 60 feet for the project.

McLean notes members of the Lions attended this week's meeting, and he expressed his gratitude for the work they do in the community. He says he's proud to be in a community that's so supportive, especially when it comes to supporting the aging population.

"We're incredibly proud. When I looked out in the audience last night I saw the group of the Lions Club, their executive, that's making this happen. They're doing something to fill that need and they're doing it just for the betterment of everybody. They're not doing it for accolades, they're doing it just because it's needed."

McLean notes there's a definite need for 55 plus housing in Stonewall, but they need to ensure any projects would benefit those who need it. He says while the Lions weren't the first to come forward to propose additional seniors housing, they were the easiest to support.

"We had an outside builder come and look at (senior housing). They looked at the rent a developer would charge to have people live in those type of units, and it's no longer affordable. To differentiate between what Lions Manor is doing, it's not only the seniors housing, it's the fact they're making affordable seniors housing. This is incredible news for everybody that's a senior in our community, and we need more of this."

While the addition of an entire floor with 72 units is no small project, McLean explains they're not expecting the work to take too long.

"For our community to know that as early as this June, and within roughly a year --sometime in 2017-- that we'll have 72 additional seniors housing units for Stonewall and surrounding areas, is absolutely awesome news for so many people."

The expansion will mean the four-storey building will be the tallest building in the community, and McLean says he's proud to have such an important facility in the town.

"Someone that's going to living on that fourth floor, and look out the window at some parts of Stonewall, it's going to be an absolutely fabulous place to live. I'm thankful to be going four storeys to make this project happen."

McLean notes the Lions Club will be responsible for the funding of the project, meaning none of the burden will be put on tax payers.