Hay River seniors return to Whispering Willows complex

Six months after the facility was evacuated, seniors in Hay River, N.W.T., are moving back into the Whispering Willows seniors complex.

When residents were forced out ofthe 17-unit building in May, Whispering Willows had to undergo renovations from flood damage. Vice chair of the Hay River senior society, Sandra Patterson Lester, described necessary repairs to plumbing and heating systems and the elevator, as well as flooring and kitchen cabinets.

"Everything in those 17 suites were destroyed," Patterson Lester said.

"I know it took a long time, but I give kudos to the government for being so proactive in getting the seniors first back into their apartments."

Whispering Willows was one of many buildings damaged by flooding in Hay River in May. The water forced an unprecedented evacuation of the second-largest town in the Northwest Territories, and also caused major damage to roads and other infrastructure.

The repairs at Whispering Willows cost over $1.4 million almost as much as the $2 million it cost to build in 2008, Patterson Lester said.

She describedthe work done on the damaged buildingas a transition from"rags to riches."

Doris Caudron is one of the residents of Whispering Willows. She firstmoved in last December, so she's been coping with the evacuationlonger than she'dlived there.

Shemoved six times overthe last six months,bouncing around between family members' houses in town.

While she says she was taken care of and always had a roof over her head, Caudron said returning to her suite at Whispering Willows is "just sheer happiness."

"We are so grateful to be back in our own home," she said. "We're still unpacking and doing all those things but we're sleeping in our bed."

Laura Rose also lives in the complex.

She spent most of the last six months with her sister in Peace River, Alta. Hersister's apartment refuses pets so Rose's dog, Tessa, had to stay at a nearby kennel.

Rose drove back to Hay River on Friday and moved back into Whispering Willows that night.

"It's wonderful to be back," she said. "My dog is so excited to be back home too."

Patterson Lester said that United Way has donated $500 for each unit to restock their pantries $400 in grocery gift cards and a $100 gift card fromHome Hardware.