Since opening eight months ago, the Buhler Active Living Centre in Winkler is nearing 70 percent occupancy.

"And we have inquiries all the time," Mike Chute, Executive Director of the Buhler Active Living Centre, says.

Chute stepped into the role January 1 taking over for Walter Siemens who helped get the $28 million building project off the ground.

He says the transition has gone smoothly.

Executive Director of the Buhler Active Living Centre Mike Chute"I'm becoming familiar with many of the tenants, I have a fantastic team here who are basically making a home for the people living here."

Of the 96 suites, 24 are designated supportive housing for those who require 24/7 care. However, Chute says the supportive housing floor isn't quite ready.

"It's a priority, we just need to put in the logistics and hopefully there will be an announcement soon," he says.

With the Winkler Senior Centre in the main floor, Chute says it's been a great win-win situation.

"All the comments I've heard are 100 percent positive," he says. "It's a great community here, everyone has a place at the coffee table."

Winkler Senior Centre Director Nettie Dyck explains many BALC residents are taking advantage of their programming.

"Some of them will comment, 'It's nice to be able to come over here and sit with people rather than go upstairs and be by myself.'"

However, she notes the senior centre is open to everyone in the community, not just BALC residents.

"That's what we're here for, bring our seniors out and make it a social opportunity for everybody," Dyck says.

The BALC opened in June and held it's official grand opening in September