A long-running senior housing project is entering a new chapter this spring as longtime project manager Art Watson prepares to hand over responsibilities to Carol Tremblay after decades of volunteer service.
The Saskatchewan Elks Seniors Homes development on South Hill has provided affordable independent living accommodations for older adults since opening in 1961. The 10-unit complex is located along the 100 and 200 blocks of Maple Street East, just south of Plaxton Lake.
Watson, who managed the Moose Jaw project from 1994 to 2000 and again from 2008 until this year, officially concluded his volunteer role on May 31 after nearly three decades. Tremblay has spent the past two months working alongside him as part of the transition and will assume responsibility for applications, tenant relations, and day-to-day operations on June 1.
The one-bedroom units are approximately 550 square feet and include a kitchen, living area, bathroom, utility room, stove, refrigerator, and washing machine. Designed for accessible day-to-day living, the homes are ground-level with only a single step at the entrance. Residents are responsible for household upkeep, lawn care, and snow removal.
“They have to be independent,” Watson said. “We don’t cut their grass, shovel their snow, or wash their windows.”
Intended for lower-income seniors who can live independently, the homes are available to applicants aged 55 and older whose total household income does not exceed $39,000 per year. Applicants must provide income verification, and Watson emphasized that acceptance is not guaranteed simply by submitting an application.
Rent is currently $460 per month, with water included, making the units one of the more affordable independent-living housing options in the community. Residents are responsible for all other utilities. The development is also non-smoking and does not permit pets.
The project was among the earliest Saskatchewan Elks seniors housing developments, created as part of a provincewide effort to help seniors remain in their communities.
City records show planning discussions began in 1959, followed by a sod-turning ceremony in August 1960. The first residents moved in during the spring of 1961, and the official opening was held May 27 of that year.
According to Moose Jaw Times-Herald archives, the project was developed through a partnership involving the Saskatchewan Elks Association and all three levels of government. Built at a cost of roughly $160,000, the original development consisted of 10 double units, or 20 suites, and was created to provide housing for seniors who wished to remain independent and connected to the community.
The Moose Jaw homes form part of a provincewide Saskatchewan Elks housing program that has expanded to eight communities across the province. According to the Saskatchewan Elks Association, the organization now operates 135 rental units in Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, Nipawin, Rosetown, Hanley, Davidson, Moosomin, and Esterhazy.
Locally, the project is overseen by Moose Jaw Lodge No. 7, which holds a significant place in the organization’s history as the seventh Elks lodge established in Canada. The lodge now meets at the Royal Canadian Legion and remains active through fundraising, charitable giving, and volunteer initiatives. According to its official website, the lodge currently has about 50 members, roughly 20 of whom are actively involved in its ongoing programs and events.
As of May 29, all units were occupied, although interested residents may still submit an application for future consideration or learn more by calling 306-630-0103.
Aaron Walker
Reporter
Moose Jaw Express
