Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today I want to pay tribute to the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors, or YACCS. YACCS was formed in 1983 by a group of Yellowknife citizens concerned about issues facing YK seniors and it’s governed by a volunteer board.
From its inception, YACCS has worked continuously to achieve its mission and that mission is building a supportive community for the health of seniors. YACCS first accomplishment was to plan for and build a long-term care facility. Aven Manor, which opened in 1987, is a 29-bed facility for NWT seniors who require nursing and/or personal care. Then in 1993, the first of YACCS two seniors independent housing projects was completed. Aven Court consists of six buildings, each containing four one-bedroom units which allow seniors to live independently. The second independent housing project was completed in 2007 and consists of four duplexes.
In between those two housing projects, YACCS, along with the community of Yellowknife, planned and built the Baker Community Centre. This facility opened in 1997, provides for the social and recreational pursuits of seniors and the community. It’s important to note that the building of this facility was made possible through a generous donation by Mr. Ed Baker. This centre is operated by the Yellowknife Seniors’ Society in partnership with YACCS. All of these facilities together form a complex located together on one piece of property close to downtown Yellowknife.
Last, but definitely not least, Mr. Speaker, is the soon-to-be opened Territorial Dementia Centre, Aven Cottages. This impressive, modern facility, which I had the good fortune to tour yesterday, has been a long eight years in the making. Formal planning began in 2002 and the official opening will be tomorrow, February 19, 2010. Without the visioning of YACCS and their recognition of the need for a dementia centre, Aven Cottages would not have been built. It was the persistence of this group of volunteers and their dedication to Yellowknife seniors that ensured this project came to fruition. Partnerships are crucial to all of YACCS operations and thanks must go to the GNWT Department of Health and Social Services, Yellowknife Health and Social Services, the NWT
Housing Corporation, Diavik Diamond Mines and the Yellowknife community for their ongoing support to YACCS operations.
So, Mr. Speaker, I offer my congratulations to the Yellowknife Association of Concerned Citizens for Seniors on their latest accomplishment and encourage everyone to get out and celebrate with them at the official opening tomorrow. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
