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Virgil, Ont.
Creekview sod turned


On Aug. 17, there was a sod-turning for Creekview, a four-story apartment complex to be built adjacent to Pleasant Manor in Virgil, Ont. The government is not involved in finances for the project even though the budget is $6.5 million. All 57 one-bedroom apartments have been rented, and five two-bedroom apartments are available for special needs. Construction is projected to be completed by July 2003.

Sod-turning ceremony. Pictured are (l-r) pastor Henry Wiebe, architect Ian Elmes, Nettie Goerz, board chair Peter Warkentin, mayor Garry Burroughs, building committee chair Ted Ens and Pleasant Manor administrator Tim Siemens.

Administrator Tim Siemens introduced the speaker for the sod-turning, Ontario MB Conference moderator Henry Wiebe. Wiebe noted that the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt through prayer (13 prayers are noted in the book of Nehemiah), faith, courage, co-organization and co-ordination. Also taking part in the event were Board chair Peter Warkentin, architect Ian Elmes, construction manager Ted Ens, Niagara-on-the-Lake mayor Gary Burroughs, Niagara Region representative David Eke, chaplain Bryan Sweet, Nettie Goerz of the Pleasant Manor Tenant Association, and Willard Sherzer of Niagara United Mennonite Church.

Pleasant Manor celebrated its 25th anniversary Sept. 14 at Cornerstone Community Church in Virgil. Five local Mennonite churches began planning Pleasant Manor in 1973, five acres of land were purchased in 1975, and the first phase, containing a chapel, a common room and a two-story, 62-unit apartment building, was opened in 1977. Phase II, containing offices, a dining room and kitchen, two sitting rooms, a whirlpool room, 22 private residential rooms for partial care and 10 apartments, opened in 1983. In 1992 Garden Court, consisting of 14 townhouses, was added. A 40-bed senior care complex, Heritage Place, opened in 1994; it contains private and semi-private rooms, a central therapeutic garden, a chapel/common room, a dining room and kitchen, offices, a laundry, a meeting room, underground parking and 18 condominiums. The involvement of Mennonite churches changed to four from the Niagara area and two from St. Catharines. Due to financial pressures, the Ontario MB Conference Board of Tabor Manor (which operates a separate complex in St. Catharines and is planning a new complex near Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont.) assumed responsibility for the management of Pleasant Manor on Oct. 1, 1996. In 2000, Pleasant Manor was able to acquire 6 additional acres, paving the way for the Creekview expansion.

 – from a report by Helen R. Bergmann

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Last modified January 10, 2003.

© 2003 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
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