The Bridge Youth Resource Centre announced on Thursday, October 22 that they have finished their 50th home on the property called Erie Bridge Homes and brought members of the community, leaders and other partners together for the ribbon cutting and celebration.
The Bridge Executive Director Krista Rempel acted as emcee for the event and talked about the history of The Bridge and how the idea for housing came about.
“Today is truly a momentous occasion in the history of The Bridge Resource Centre,” said Rempel. “It’s a day to celebrate not only the completion of a $12 million housing project, but also about efficiency, collaboration, generosity and determination.”
The Bridge opened its doors in 2018 after George Bergen and Greg Wiens walked the recently listed St. Joseph’s Church property on Sherk Street, saw the potential and gathered interested parties to make the dream come true. In 2020, The Bridge took another significant step by opening the Quiring Family Fresh Start Housing Facility and then followed that in 2021 with Phase 1 of the housing project.
That phase — the first of its kind in Canada — saw The Bridge partner with the University of Windsor to create the first 3D printed home for residential use in Canada. They ultimately set their sights on 38 more homes on the property and last Thursday, that all came to fruition.
Rempel thanked all of those involved from staff to volunteers, municipal leaders, provincial and federal government partners and the builders who brought the project in on time and under budget.
The Bridge President Will Good spoke highly of everyone involved and praised Rempel and Greg Wiens for the hard work they put in day after day.
Wiens gave a history of The Bridge from that first walk-through of the property to the finished product seen today. He also talked about the quality of workmanship that has gone into the construction and how building inspectors were all impressed with the work being done.
Leamington Mayor (and Warden of Essex County) Hilda MacDonald talked about the feelings felt when people know that a project is working. “I’m so proud of my community,” she added.
Essex County CAO Sandra Zwiers also spoke about the $2 million commitment from the county which helped spearhead the additional 38 homes phase.
