Executive Director’s Report - June 2025

Dear Members

It is my privilege to present this year’s Executive Director’s Report for the Gulf Islands Seniors Residence Association (GISRA).

Meadowbrook

This year at Meadowbrook, GISRA continued with its mission to support safe, affordable, and supportive housing for seniors on the Gulf Islands. We maintained a strong operational footing, ensuring that our facilities remain well-maintained, and our residents well-supported.

There were 9 suite changeovers. This is higher than the average of 5-6 but it compensates for last year’s turnover of just 4. Waitlist applications were 14 for 1-bedroom suites, and 2 for 2-bedroom suites.

Capital upgrades were completed with structural repairs to the old section of the Meadowbrook building. Unfortunately, the project was brought to a standstill by the CRD Building Department. CRD Building Department requires that registered professionals take responsibility for all aspects of the project’s specifications. To comply, architects, building code specialists, structural engineers, envelope engineers, electrical engineers and mechanical engineers were engaged. This will add considerable cost and delay to the project. The old building section was massively modified when Meadowbrook was originally constructed in 2002. At that time, BD saw fit to sign off on it. It is frustrating, therefore, that today, safety improvements are deliberately made so difficult to implement.

Kings Lane

Land Lease

The lease to BC Housing for temporary housing is due to end in September of this year. Most of the 19 residents are due to move to new facilities that are nearing completion on Drake Road. Income generated from this lease has been put aside to pay for the renovation at Meadowbrook.

Affordable Housing and Medical Clinic

GISRA put considerable effort into studying and implementing options to expand its mission and priorities at the Kings Lane site. The focus now is to build 50 units of affordable workforce housing and more than double the capacity of the medical clinic. The accompanying briefing document outlines the status of these efforts. This document was prepared for an upcoming visit on July 23 to Salt Spring by BC’s Housing Minister, Ravi Kahlon. GISRA’s Kings Lane housing project was singled out for support by Capital Regional District, Islands Trust, several on-island funders and NGOs as the “flagship” project that’s most likely to succeed.

Financial Stewardship

Despite the pressures of inflation and increasing costs associated with long-term building maintenance and resident support, we ended the fiscal year in a stable financial position. Our fundraising efforts and unbudgeted earnings from Kings Lane will enable building improvements at Meadowbrook. A detailed financial report will be presented by our Treasurer.

Looking Ahead

With plans to complete renovations at Meadowbrook and high hopes of securing the funding to start construction at Kings Lane, the next 12 months are shaping up to be an extraordinary time for GISRA. I look forward to the year ahead with optimism, determination, and a profound sense that GISRA is making a hugely beneficial contribution to our island’s community.

In closing, I wish to extend heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff and the GISRA Board of Directors. Each of you plays a vital role in this organization’s impact and sustainability. It is a privilege to serve as your Executive Director and to be part of this remarkable community.

Warm regards,

Harry Barnes

Executive Director

Gulf Islands Seniors Residence Association