By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
The behind-the-scenes work for the Elgin Park Redevelopment in Cobourg has been going on for some time, but the hands-on work is now becoming evident.
Members of the board of directors for the Northumberland County Housing Corporation and county staff joined Habitat For Humanity Northumberland staff and volunteers at the sites Tuesday to launch the process to salvage and repurpose materials from the eight duplexes slated for demolition. This will provide space for 20 new units due to be constructed by the end of next year as part of an affordable-housing redevelopment project.
Items such as doors, cabinets and plumbing fixtures that are in good (and reusable) condition will be donated to the ReStore, Habitat’s non-profit home-improvement centre on Division Street. There they will be sold at a discounted price as a fundraiser for Habitat’s home-building projects to provide affordable housing for Northumberland families.
“As we begin construction to ultimately increase the number of subsidized and market-rental housing units at Elgin Park from 18 to 40 units, this partnership with Habitat For Humanity will allow us to divert waste from the landfill by repurposing materials from retired units,” NCHC board chair Gil Brocanier said in the press release.
“We are glad to know that these materials will continue to go to excellent use, supporting families and affordable-housing initiatives in Northumberland.”
Habitat Executive Director Meaghan Macdonald said her organization is thrilled for the opportunity to work with NCHC on these salvaging efforts.
“We support the NCHC’s redevelopment of Elgin Park as they increase the number of subsidized and market-rent units available, and this salvage is a great way for us to show this support while diverting products from landfill and generating revenue for the Habitat home-building program,” Macdonald said.
In addition to these efforts, the retired buildings will also be repurposed as a training site for the Cobourg Fire Department prior to their demolition.
County Warden Bob Crate declared the project an excellent example of community collaboration.
“In addition to the expansion of our local affordable-housing stock to address a critical need in our community, the innovative partnerships formed between the NCHC, Northumberland County, Habitat For Humanity Northumberland and the Cobourg Fire Department will ensure we’re minimizing waste and maximizing community benefit,” Crate stated.
For more information about the Elgin Park Redevelopment project, visit //Northumberland.ca/ElginPark.
