When the future population of the world looks back on our day they will not think of the big things, but of the kindness and care we gave to our pioneers."
Those were the words of W.K. Kiernan, Minister of Mines and Petroleum Resources, to a large audience attending the official opening of the Evergreen Court seniors housing complex in Ladner on Oct. 22, 1962.
"This is the kind of project the province likes best, where the people the people themselves look after the erection and direction of the building," he said.
Aimed at providing low-cost housing for seniors, especially longtime residents, the complex had 12 single and four double units.
Each unit had its own front door, small porch and well-balanced rooms.
A seven-car park was built on the east side of the project and on the southwest there was a commercial laundry. There was also a large common room.
"The gratifying results were evident to everyone who saw the comfortable units," said Reeve Clarence Taylor.
Taylor also spoke of the fine work by the 17 members of the Delta Senior Housing Association. The association had representatives from several different local organizations.
The following issue of the Optimist profiled some of the first seniors to move into the new complex, including Rev. and Mrs. Robert Stevenson, who moved into one of the double units.
Among the other new tenants were Mrs. Thomas Wilson, a Ladner resident for 30 years. She had a thriving fruit farm with her husband in the early years and had been a widow for 15 years at the time she moved into her new living unit.
The residents were selected by the screening committee of the housing association.
There were several helpers from the community helping the seniors unpack and checking in on them.
Many residents and local organizations donated to the project.
