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A group of engineering and management students at UBCO believe it's time to turn all the talk into action. They want to see the Okanagan's first cohousing project get started. With that in mind, there's a public meeting Wednesday evening at the Innovation Centre. UBCO associate professor Gord Lovegrove paid us a visit at KelownaNow to talk about it.
"It really boils down to the people and their vision bringing it together and co-developing," said Lovegrove.
His vision is ground floor units clustered around a central clubhouse packed with amenities.
"First off, a social centre where you would share meals, probably have a craft room a tool shop, games room, entertainment area so you typically share a meal, and evening meal several times a week."
And he said there are properties in Kelowna where the right zoning is already in place.
"It's just a matter of finding a site, finding a group of people and getting on with it," he said.
Lovegrove said cohousing helps address the increasing problem of social isolation, it's been connected with lower rates of Alzheimer's, it's better for the environment and it's ultimately a more cost-effective lifestyle.
"Instead of a couple having two bedrooms for the adult child who comes to town every once in a while or visitors coming to town, you'd have that second room in the clubhouse," he points out. "A guest room can be booked."
Lovegrove said the costs might be similar to a condo, but with access to more amenities.
The project has yet to take flight, but it's already been dubbed The Aviary. Wednesday night's open house starts at 7 p.m. at the Innovation Centre, with a more detailed workshop at 8 p.m. that will allow people to share their own ideas.
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