Business View - October 2015 145
gone now. Everything is brand new, other than what we
call the Terrace Room, which used to be the gymnasium,
and the food services area. So that has all been reno-
vated.”
Gary Sawatzky, Chinook’s Managing Director, talks about
the founders’ all-important business model: “The vision
here was to create [a seniors facility] that would be one
that was relatively easy to get into – not low income, but
lower pricing compared to the marketplace - so that se-
niors would be able to afford to move into Chinook. So
Chinook is, for the most part, a life lease type of facility.”
A life lease is a legal agreement that permits purchasers
to occupy a home for life (or until they are no longer ca-
AT A GLANCE
WHO:
Chinook Village
WHAT:
A non-profit, retirement community
WHERE:
Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada
WEBSITE
:
HEALTHCARE
