After 10 long years, Zappone Manor is finally open.

Mike Garisto, president of Columbus Homes, has been involved with the project since day one. He told the Cloverdale Reporter he’s more relieved than happy, just because of how long and circuitous the journey has been just to get to opening day.

Zappone Manor, located on 176A Street, is a newly-built affordable housing complex offering below-market rents for seniors.

Now that the ribbon had been cut and the building officially opened, the only people Garisto’s thinking about are the seniors who get to move in.

“Today is about celebrating, but celebrating for the residents,” he noted. “They’ve been looking forward to moving into their new homes and this is who this is about. They are so excited. They’ve been so patient.”

Garisto said the seniors waiting to move in have been an inspiration through the whole process. He said they put up with a lot over the years, suffering through many delays and disappointments, but ultimately suffering through with patience and dignity.

“My wife and I have talked about this a lot,” he noted. “We’re very relieved that we are finally here.”

Now, he gets to see the residents move over within the next week—bringing the decade-long process to a “satisfying” conclusion.

BUILDERS

Garisto explained the building honours four local men from four founding organizations in Cloverdale—the Elks, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Lions, and the Knights of Columbus—men who were instrumental in both giving back to the Cloverdale Community and helping with seniors’ housing.

He acknowledged Bruno Zappone, Mike Cook, Pat Pasloski, and Dr. E.A Ted Wolsfold (all men are deceased).

“(They) created a vision back in the mid-1960s in which they wanted to create senior housing,” Garisto said. “As their vision matured over the years, each organization had some shining lights rise above and beyond the call of duty and serve the seniors of our Cloverdale community.”

As such, each group chose the men to honour. The building has been named Zappone Manor after Lion’s club member Zappone.

“Bruno served on the Senior Citizens Housing Society Board for 50-plus years,” he said. “Bruno was a machine operator and trucker, who … served on the board until he was 95 years old.”

The Legion chose to honour Cook.

“(He) served as chair of the board and member for many years and his dedicated service to the Legion is unmatched.”

The Knights of Columbus chose to honour Pasloski.

“(He) served on the board for over 20 years and had an active role in the early success of the Knights in Cloverdale.”

The Elks chose to honour Wolsfold.

“He served as the grand exalted ruler of the organization and lived his life supporting all causes of the Elks.”

As for the building’s namesake, Zappone passed away in 2021. He was a longtime volunteer, past Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce president, volunteer firefighter, heritage supporter, member of the Lions Club, and champion of all things Cloverdale.

Brenda McCormick, Zappone’s daughter, told the Reporter previously, she was thrilled the building was being name after her father.

“I’m very honoured,” she said. “I’m so proud of my dad and what he did over the years. Ninety-five years, he lived his whole life in Cloverdale.”

She said the building’s name will add to her dad’s legacy around town.

“He was a hard worker and really gave his time. This reflects that.”

ZAPPONE MANOR

The building features 89 suites. There are 67 studio suites and 22 one-bedroom suits—included in that are 19 accessible suites.

The overall project was done in a partnership with the Seniors Citizens Housing of South Surrey Society (SCHSSS) and Columbus Homes, an organization sponsored by the Knights of Columbus councils of greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley in an effort to provide affordable seniors’ housing.

The total cost of the project was $35 million, including the value of the land ($11 million), which was provided by SCHSSS, with Columbus Homes kicking in $4.7 million, and the Province of B.C. providing $6.2 million. The rest was covered by a low-interest mortgage from the Feds.

Garisto said rents run about 30 to 50 per cent below market rates. Rooms have air conditioning and Juliet balconies.

To inquire about rooms, call 604-250-6444 or email cca@colchar.org.

For more information visit colchar.org.

Zappone Manor is located at 5956 176A Street.