The Skeena Valley Seniors Society is getting a one-month reprieve from having to move its Seniors Corner out of the Skeena Mall.
Its lease formally ended March 31 but the mall has extended the period to more fully provide the society time to find a new home.
“While we will not be able to provide a permanent location for the seniors’ centre, we have offered a one-month extension which we trust will assist efforts to secure a new location,” mall representative Jill Killeen emphasized in a March 26 letter to The Terrace Standard.
She noted that the mall’s 12-month lease ending as of March 31 was offered at a below-market rent to support efforts at providing the seniors society with a temporary home.
“We have made significant efforts to work collaboratively with [society president] Diana Penner to assist seniors in our community,” Killeen added.
“Long-standing tenants have expressed a desire to expand within the mall, and as a primary business hub, we want to support their interests and assist local business growth. A vibrant mall has always been our goal and that begins with a strong retail centre, which further enables us to give back to the community on many levels.”
Killeen said the mall has consistently provided space for charity and non-profit organizations and sponsors sports groups and clubs.
Skeena Valley Seniors Society president Diana Penner says she remains hopeful the Seniors Corner can stay in the mall and do so via a long-term lease.
“It’s still business as usual until April 30,” Penner said. “If we have to leave as of that date, then we’ll start moving everything out.”
Rather than leaving, the seniors society wants to expand into a small storage area next door to its current location and, using grants, put down flooring and add a kitchen.
But without a lease, the society may not find granting agencies willing to provide money and without proof of grants, the mall is questioning the society’s ability to make improvements.
Penner said she has sent copies of all correspondence to each party in hopes of reaching a resolution.