The Slocan Valley Housing Society’s 26th AGM was a great success this Saturday. All the seats in Passmore Lodge’s common room were filled.
There was a real feeling of celebration in the air. The big news is that the projects that the SVHS have been patiently working on are beginning to bear fruit.
The 10-unit affordable housing project for families and seniors in Slocan is moving forward on leased land from the village. The Osprey project, another 10-unit affordable housing project is almost complete and taking applications for tenants.
Working with the New Denver and Area Housing Society and BC Housing, SVHS is now in the beginning of negotiations to take over ownership and operation of the Osprey. SVHS hopes to confirm this sometime around February. Meanwhile Passmore Lodge (with its new energy upgrades, such as the heat pump with cooling units) and Slocan City Suites are running smoothly. There were some changes to the board of directors this year. Julian Ross is retiring from the Board after 6 years of hard work. Last year he took on the role of Treasurer, previously chaired the IT and fundraising committees, and played a major role in the Research and Development committee. He will be missed. Two new directors from New Denver were added to the roster. Both are on the board of the New Denver and Area Housing Society who wish to stay involved after the transfer of ownership: Keith Dewey and Kathy Hartman. The new board consists of the President, Sally Mackenzie. Vice President, Sarah Walsh. Secretary, Sam Simpson. Treasurer, Ruth Hackett, with Ann Harvey, Huguette Marr, Bob Inwood, Keith Dewey and Kathy Hartman as directors.
Door prizes were handed out during the ballot counting, and the New Denver folks cleaned up! A good time was had by all. This next year looks very very promising.
Thank you for door prizes donated by: Evergreen Natural Foods, Polestar Calendars, Slocan Valley Co-op, Slocan Valley Home Hardware and Winlaw Mini-Mart. Thanks also to Slocan Village Market who donated coffee, tea and cream and to the Grassroots Grammas who staffed the kitchen.