Breton Ability Centre looking for input on housing development

The Breton Ability Centre has big plans for its property in Sydney River.

The care facility, which services people with intellectual disabilities, is looking for pubic input for a mixed housing development. The facility is surrounded by 10.5 hectares of land along the Sydney River.

Millie Colbourne, the CEO of the Breton Ability Centre, says while there is a need for low and middle-income housing, the number one concern she's hearing is the need for seniors' housing.

"Certainly a priority, initially, is for seniors' homes so that would probably be the first phase and as we go along, intermixing homes for people with disabilities if they choose to live here," she said.

"That's the thing, it has to be choice."

​Colbourne said the site has a lot of potential.

"Because of the location, the waterfrontage that we have and the services that we can provide — that's a key piece that distinguishes this development from a lot of developments," she says.

Another distinguishing feature of the proposed development will be its diversity.

"One of the things that we will not be part of is creating a segregated community. It has to be a mixed community, where if you think about it, it's like the old neighbourhoods that a lot of us grew up in," she said.

Darlene Chiasson, the executive director of corporate services for the Breton Ability Centre, says the location offers easy access to recreation and retail, as well as the many services the centre itself can offer.

"We could provide foot care, we could draw blood, we can do medication. There's all different things people could access," says Chiasson.

The development has been in the planning stages for two years. The environmental and engineering studies are complete. Now, the centre is looking for ideas and feedback and will soon be asking for funding from government and the private sector. 

Colbourne hopes to break ground next year.