Medical learner housing project underway in Yarmouth with new construction coming

YARMOUTH, N.S. — A new housing project at 30 Vancouver St. in Yarmouth is moving forward to address the housing needs of medical learners.
 
After much effort to make an existing building work, Coastal Financial Credit Union's board of directors, supported by the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce, determined that the current house will be demolished and replaced by a new facility.
 
“The new building will fit very nicely in the neighborhood while complementing the lot and maintaining the current landscaping as much as possible,” says Kerry Muise, vice-president of the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce. 
 
"The existing structure is old, and while stately from the outside, the cost of renovating far outweighs the costs of new construction," Muise says.
 
Another consideration of buildng new was the ongoing maintenance and operating costs of the existing building in the long term. 
 
The donation of the original house by the Coastal Financial Credit Union was first announced on Oct. 24, 2019, at the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce's Business Awards ceremony. During the event at the Mariners Centre, Coastal Financial Credit Union CEO Rick Doucette had also encouraged other businesses to contribute in some way towards required renovations. By the end of the evening, donations in-kind were pouring in: a free kitchen design, an offer to fill the fridge, free paint, an electrical upgrade, landscaping and much more.
 
Some work took place on the building  during the next few months. However, it was discovered that while the large house has “good bones,” there was much that needed to be updated and reconfigured.
 
Coastal Financial Credit Union, which had purchased the house to donate, says it is pleased with the direction the project is now heading in.
 
“I'm very pleased with this decision; after months of work, doing our due diligence, we have determined that this is the best decision for the purpose and for our community,” Doucette says.
 
Coastal Financial Credit Union, as owner of the property, will largely fund the project. The Chamber will operate the facility aimed at helping to attract medical residents and students to the area.
 
“I'm super excited to now see this project move quickly ahead," Doucette adds.
 
While several businesses, such as Garian Construction, Co-operators Insurance, and Bramac Plumbing, have already donated considerable time and efforts to this project, “help from the community will still be needed,” says Muise.
 
Demolition of the existing house on Vancouver Street is scheduled to take place in January and drawings for the new building will go to tender soon. Coastal Financial Credit Union has hired Lloyd MacDougall, certified project manager, to oversee the project. MacDougall can be contacted via the Chamber office if companies or individuals wish to contribute to the project. He can be reached at 902-742-3074.
 
Meanwhile, those involved with the project look forward to the benefits the new construction bring down the road.
The Chamber and Coastal Financial say that addressing housing issues for medical learners is key to assisting recruitment efforts.
 
“Having housing for incoming resident doctors and medical students is a huge advantage in the recruitment world,” says Community Navigator Rebecca Rose.
 
Rose says the new building will be a key recruitment tool in the near future. Currently, she says, approximately 25 per cent of her time is dedicated to finding housing, which also takes up a large part of the Community Navigator budget.
 
As an added aside to the project, Doucette says the new building will free up other rental spaces for local residents.
 
"Ultimately, this is a win-win for everyone and I can't wait to cut the ribbon at 30 Vancouver St. next fall,” he says.

https://www.thechronicleherald.ca/communities/southwest-nova-scotia/medical-learner-housing-project-underway-in-yarmouth-with-new-construction-coming-538463/