New life for Central United

Expansion plans at Victoria Village are giving Central United church some financial breathing room.

Victoria Village purchased the church property earlier this month, with plans to expand services for seniors.

“Our intent is to develop in the future ... and allow the congregation to remain for two years,” said Sheri Maynard, general manager at Victoria Village. "We are going to pay for the costs associated with the church, so that they can stay."

It's good news for the Central United congregation that has been facing financial struggles, partially due to sewer work costing $297,000.

Also, the church lost a significant revenue source when the onsite preschool closed, due to the introduction of full-time kindergarten.

As Victoria Village grows, Maynard says Central's congregation will benefit along with the city's senior population.

Eventually the church building will come down, making way for new development that will include commercial partners and an expanded range of services for local seniors.

"Some really exciting things are happening," Maynard said. "We have some significant partners lined up and it's going to ensure that the ongoing needs of seniors are being met."

While details are not yet public, Maynard said there may be space in the new development for the church community.

Victoria Village advertises itself as a "community of caring", offering life lease and long-term care units as well as office space and meeting room rentals, special events and a wood-working shop for seniors.

Future expansion is currently focused on a new 12-storey building at the corner of Toronto and Wellington streets - adjacent the church property.

Once open, the new building will add 155 retirement units and about 60 independent units to Victoria Village.

Currently, the facility includes 128 long-term care beds and 57 life-lease units.