Only two tenants currently occupy the new unique ten suite assisted living facility for seniors built last year in Dominion City, called Abbeyfield House.

Abbeyfield Chair Dave Kirkpatrick said the board is not yet concerned about the number of tenants.

"Overall I think the response has been pretty favorable, we have had a lot of people express interest saying it's the ideal place for me just not yet, I am not in that stage of my life just yet," said Kirkpatrick.

Kirkpatrick went on to say in terms of the board there is a lot of excitement even though there are still quite a few spaces to be filled.

"It has been an advantage, it's all new to the board and staff and with a fewer number of people in there we can sort of grow with the new residents as they come in," explained Kirkpatrick.

He also noted when in discussion with other Abbeyfield homes in Canada he has been reassured that this is rather typical and over a period of a year or two the homes eventually fill up.

"I think also as you get more people in there it is an even more exciting place to be because it is a very spacious area and with only a few people in there it is not the hub of activity it will be when more people move in," said Kirkpatrick.

Abbeyfield House is a 1.6-million bungalow style, multi-family shared living space providing ten suites, eight of which are available at affordable rents of $414 per month for a studio suite and $587 for a one-bedroom suite. Two units are available on a rent geared-to-income basis, accommodating lower-income households, with annual provincial support totaling about $3,500.

Many programs in the region are currently offered in the bright and spacious home to not only for residents but those residing in the area, creating a very lively and busy atmosphere.

"We have a number of programs running and are currently looking for more, we presently have chair floor exercises twice a week, bingo nights, and foot clinics that have proven to be very poplar for resident and outside people," explained Kirkpatrick.

During construction of Abbeyfield, the provincial and federal government provided more than $566,000 towards the project through the federal-provincial investment in affordable housing. The new building is accessible and also meets Manitoba Hydro’s Power Smart designation.

Kirkpatrick mentioned people in the area have also been very giving.

"We received a grant from the Sturgeon Foundation for a new shuffle board table for our recreation area, another lady donated an organ to be played by residents, and another women donated a reading assist machine to help visually impaired people with their reading. Overall it's been very exciting for residents, staff and people in the community, mostly due to the possibilities. Being the first residents and staff in the facility provides the opportunity for staff to come up with new ideas and for considered residents to have their pick of several suites," said Kirkpatrick.

Kirkpatrick ended off by saying that some construction is still left to be completed with the parking lot and the street leading up to Abbeyfield needing to be paved. Also landscaping and gardening still needs to be completed which could also take a year to finish up.