How an apartment building in Coniston, Ont., is helping seniors stay in their community

When Les Lisk had the idea to open a seniors apartment complex in Coniston, a community in Sudbury, Ont., he only had $10 in hand to get the project started.

He started the Coniston Non-Profit Seniors Housing Corporation 13 years ago, and in late 2023 finally opened a 55-unit building in the community.

"We wanted to get a residence here, an apartment building, so that the people would stay in the community," said Lisk.

With help from Bélanger Construction he was able to get the $18 million needed to build the apartment building, and secure a mortgage with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

Before the apartment building opened, Lisk said seniors in the community had few options to stay in the community after they moved out of their homes.

Rents in the building range from around $1,200 to a little over $2,000 per month depending on the unit.

Demand was so high when it opened that there's now a wait list to get in with 100 names on it.

Sandra Fournier said as soon as she learned about the project she signed up for an apartment as soon as it would become available.

"I didn't want to leave my hometown," she said.

"I was born in Coniston. I won't tell you my age, but it was some time ago. And so I really, really wanted to stay in my community. And I'm so thrilled that this project got off the ground. And here we are."

When Fournier and her husband moved into the apartment building they were able to sell their home to her great niece, Paige Eastwood, and her family.

"I grew up going to Christmases and Easters and I always really admired their house and their community," Eastwood said.

"We go for walks all the time. Everybody's very friendly. There's events at the church that we've attended so far."

Like Fournier, Jane Rodriguez knew she wanted to move into the apartment complex as soon as it opened. 

"I always say to people, when I walk in here, I'm home," she said. "I'm living my second best life. My kids are very happy that I'm here."

Rodriguez said she was living in a single family home on her own after her husband died.

"I lived alone for a long time," she said.

"Three floors, you know. You could easily fall down the stairs and nobody would find you for a day, which has sadly happened to people we actually know."

Rodriguez said there's a strong sense of community in the building.

"We do things for people in this community that you don't hear about in the big city," she said.

Vic and Sharon Henderson say they feel that same sense of community living in the building.

"The close proximity to all our childhood friends," Sharon said.

"Like down the hall we share food, we share everything. We gather twice a week for different activities."

Vic said Coniston is in his blood, and the seniors' apartment gave them a chance to stay in the community as they grow older.