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A year ago, the residents of Hadgraft Wilson Place in Kelowna faced an unexpected crisis as 84 individuals were ordered to evacuate their homes, leaving many concerned about their future housing prospects.
Megan Beckmann, a resident among those displaced, vividly recalls the emotional moment when the evacuation notice was shared. “I watched as the room burst into tears. It was a very hard watch,” she recounted.
The evacuation was precipitated by alarming signs of ground instability and cracks discovered in the building’s foundation. These structural issues have been linked to ongoing construction activities at the nearby UBC Okanagan downtown campus.
“That began the journey to frequent moving and hardships, financial hardships, and here we are a year later with very little information and answers and low accountability,” Beckmann shared, expressing the frustrations felt by many former residents.
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In February, this situation prompted UBC Properties Trust to respond to a civil claim filed by the evacuated residents, denying all allegations of negligence and damage.
In response to the ongoing concerns, a month later, a task force comprising representatives from the City of Kelowna, UBC Properties Trust, and Pathways Abilities Society was established to explore potential solutions for the building’s future.
Alan Clay, executive director of Pathways Abilities Society, underscored the significance of the task force’s formation. “The objective really is to plan a path forward, what does it look like,” he stated, emphasizing that no options would be overlooked in their deliberations.
While Beckmann acknowledges the well-meaning intentions behind the newly formed task force, she expressed a sense of urgency for earlier intervention. “It would have been nice to see this kind of effort a year ago,” she remarked. “It feels like it’s a little bit late to come out and say they are doing this to help mediate the damage.”
Hadgraft Wilson Place, managed by Pathways, has historically provided subsidized housing for various community members. However, uncertainty looms over when, or whether, residents will be able to return. “It’s too early to tell, certainly that’s one of the options. Everything is being looked at and assessed, and hopefully in the coming weeks, we’ll have something to share,” Clay added, indicating that assessments are ongoing.
As the situation develops, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and stability of the building while addressing the concerns of those affected by the evacuation.
Source
globalnews.ca