Nearly four years after a fire swept through a west Edmonton seniors’ building, it’s still not clear when people will be able to go back home.
Edward Kelly had just stepped out of his home there on July 31, 2012, minutes before the fire started.
When he got back later that day he saw a fleet of fire trucks and emergency vehicles. Firefighters rescued people from windows, stairwells and suites.
Kelly never imagined then it would take so many years to return home and to this day he still doesn’t know when that might be.
“Ever since then I’ve been waiting and asking and there’s always delays, delays, delays,” Kelly said Wednesday, shaking his head at the amount of time it’s taking to fix up Canora Gardens at 151st Street and 101st Avenue.
Edward Kelly is frustrated it’s taking so long to return to his home at Canora Gardens where he lived for nine years before the fire. (CBC/Gareth Hampshire)
Kelly, 74, was among about 100 people who were forced to find new places to live after the fire at the five-storey complex.
A 79-year-old woman died in the blaze. The fire is believed to have started when a cardboard box was placed on a stove with the element accidentally left on.
While Kelly has been staying in another complex since that time, he’s restless to return to the place he calls home.
“That was where we lived. That was our home. We got used to it. For me it was a better place to be around,” he said, explaining it’s closer to his family with better options for shopping and public transit.
Canora Gardens is one of 41 buildings managed by Greater Edmonton Foundation Seniors Housing.
Canora Gardens remains fenced off to the public as contractors continue with building work believed to be in the $10-million range. (CBC/Gareth Hampshire)
The non-profit organisation said it’s been a more complicated renovation than was first anticipated.
“It’s been a long process,” said Raymond Swonek, the foundation’s chief executive officer.
Swonek said there were multiple insurance claims. In addition, once a decision was made to strip down to the frames and rebuild, contractors ran into some nasty surprises in the residence originally built in 1977.
“Once you start taking the drywall off then you realise the plumbing wasn’t done the way you thought it would be. Things were more damaged behind the walls than anticipated,” he said.
All the building’s mechanical systems are being upgraded, including the heating and plumbing systems, Swonek said. Sprinkler systems are being installed along with other measures to bring the facility up to code.
Swonek thanked the seniors for showing so much patience during a frustrating time but said when the building does re-open they’ll be happy with all the renovations, including the re-design of every single suite.
“We’re sorry anytime one of our buildings burns down (and) the people have to relocate,” said Swonek.
Raymond Swonek, CEO of Greater Edmonton Foundation Seniors Housing, said in addition to plumbing issues there was more damage than expected discovered behind the walls at Canora Gardens. (CBC/Gareth Hampshire)
However, he can’t say for sure when the building will be ready to re-open, although it definitely won’t be soon.
“I can guarantee it won’t be this year,” said Swonek, who said he’s reluctant to put any date on a re-opening with a lot of work still to be done.
Contractors are still at work around and inside the property doing the renovations that Swonek estimates are in the $10-million range.
He said the Alberta government, which owns the building, would have a better sense of the repair costs.
The province has not yet responded to a request from CBC.
A 79-year-old woman died in the July 31, 2012 fire. (CBC/Gareth Hampshire)
Kelly, meanwhile, isn’t holding his breath on when he’ll be able to go back to Canora Gardens.
After being discouraged for so long about the delays, he’s now feeling numb.
“After a while the frustration kind of goes away because you have no choice,” he said.
Swonek understands some seniors are feeling anxious but said others are happier with where they’re living now. All were safely housed after the fire, he said.
He said those who do return will like what they see. And they likely won’t have to deal with any renovations again.
“With all the work going into it now, we believe it will be good for a long long time to come.”