‘I can finally rebuild my home’
Glace Bay woman looking forward to seeing other side of company home demolished
To some it’s just an old Glace Bay company house, but to Kimmy Losier it’s her dream home with a million-dollar view of the ocean.
Losier purchased one half of the Fifth Street duplex 12 years ago when she was still living in Ontario and saw the property online.
Since then, she’s worked hard to make the old miner’s dwelling into a comfy home for herself and her now nine-year-old son Quinlan.
Unfortunately, the other side of the Hub-area structure has seen better times and the fallout from its neglect has caused a multitude of problems for the single mom.
But her troubles may soon be coming to an end.
On Tuesday, Cape Breton Regional Muncipality council approved a staff request to give a 30-day notice of demolition for the other side of the structure.
According to Losier, after the former owners passed away the premises fell into disrepair.
“If all goes well this means the wall will come down and I can finally rebuild my home,” she said, following an emotional address to council during which she stated just how much the house meant to her and her son.
The structure’s roof was severely damaged during the huge storm of October 2016. Since then,
Losier’s side has received substantial water damage.
She’s already spent more than she could afford but says she’s in for the long-haul even though that means she’ll be forced to take out a mortgage on the already-paid-for house.
“I get a beautiful view of the ocean — every morning when I brush my teeth I look out my bathroom window and on a clear day I can see Cape Smoky across the water and that’s a million-dollar view,” said Losier.
“I’m raising my son in that neighbourhood, he goes to school in that neighbourhood, our friends are there — that’s my home.”
Paul Burt, CBRM’s manager of building, planning and licensing laws, said city hall is well aware of Losier’s situation and has prioritized the structure’s demolition so she can move on with her own house repairs.