After nearly two weeks, elevator back at 7-storey residence
The elevator at 640 Fisgard St. has been repaired and residents can finally take their garbage out, buy groceries and run errands.
The elevator had been out of commission since Dec. 2, after an apparent electrical malfunction in the subsidized seniors’ residence.
“Issues with the elevator have been getting progressively worse — it has shut down for an hour or two and then a day,” said Heidi Higgins, 70. “This time, there were plumes of black smoke in the basement and it quit completely.”
Since then, tenants — seniors and people with mobility issues — have struggled to get to and from their apartments in the seven-storey building.
“We understand everyone’s frustrations,” said Christine Culham, senior manager of regional housing for the Capital Regional District, which includes responsibility for the Capital Region Housing Corp., which manages the building.
“This was a series of very unfortunate events. We have never had an elevator down for this long before.”
Once they became aware of the issue, she said, her staff offered support services, going door-to-door on three occasions and meeting with 80 per cent of the residents. At apartments where no one answered, staff members left notices on the status of the elevator repair, offering help if needed.
Residents were provided food, when requested, from the Mustard Seed and St. Vincent de Paul.
Culham said the Capital Region Housing Corp. will reimburse residents who have required the services of MediVan to transport them to and from their suites.
One resident was put up in a hotel for the duration, due to unique circumstance, she said.
The elevator problem, while stressful for everyone, brought the residents together. “This is a small community and residents have responded to this issue by helping each other out,” said Don Johnson, a resident for 17 years who served eight years as the building’s caretaker. “The current caretaker has been getting groceries — and delivering them — for some people. Others have knocked on doors to ensure their neighbours are OK.”
He said the building for the most part is well-maintained and this is the most serious incident in the time he has lived there.
Johnson said when he served as caretaker, the elevator was inspected monthly in the building, built in 1994.
“This could have happened to any building,” said Johnson, 70.