The July 21 Heritage Dance in Bragg Creek for the new seniors housing project was labelled as a fundraiser, but it was also a celebration of just how close it is to becoming a reality..

The 'Can Do' charged atmosphere at the Bragg Creek Community Centre included a performance by Highway 66, silent auction, buffet and spirited updates on just how close it is until construction begins.

"Having an event like this serves a couple of purposes," explains Karen Norgaard, one of the founders of the housing society. "We'll make some money and we'll raise the profile of seniors housing. This is a good thing, it's a friendly thing and we're doing this together."

Sandra Robin, manager of Big Hill Lodge who represented the Rocky View Foundation, said they were excited about becoming part of the Bragg Creek community and hope to be moving forward in the spring.

"We are very excited to be here and thankful for all the work Karen (Norgaard) has done. She has spearheaded groups and she has motivated people and motivated so many of us to get going and get this project done."

She heaped praise upon Dick Koetsier who donated the land for the project and the crowd gave a thunderous applaud of thanks. The land was previously the location of the iconic Steak Pit that was ravaged beyond repair by the 2013 flood.

"What a generous, lovely man you have in your community," said Robin. "We will be forever grateful to you and I know this community is grateful to you now and will continue to be that way."

The seniors housing society was hitting a wall at the beginning, when Sharon Bayer and Karen Norgaard were invited by Koetsier for coffee about seven years ago, explains Norgaard. He served cofffee, then offered to donate up to three acres of land for the project. If that wasn't enough, he said if the location wasn't suitable he was willing to buy another piece of land for them.

Since then the water and wastewater system has been established in the community, adding another vital piece of infrastructure. Then the Rocky View Foundation accepted an invitation to take over the project.

"Things are beginning to fall into place and most people are really keen on having the project happen," she says.

The sooner the housing opens, the better.

"It has been many years now," she says. "I look at the membership list of the seniors and many have either passed away or moved away. Passing away is not a good thing and moving anyway, in a way, is worse because the people who lived in our community all of their lives or for many years should have the opportunity to stay here and live out their years."

There will be 16-20 independent living apartments in the complex, she says, and both cleaning and food services are readily available for those who want it.

Housing costs are high and many Bragg Creek seniors live in basement suites or over people's garages, she points out.

"Lots of people have worked hard all of their lives and lived decent lives and have brought up their families, but not everybody had big incomes. We have many people here who have worked in the service industry and they're not the people that made big money, but they deserve to have decent declining years."

Founded in 1964, the Rocky View Foundation provides affordable housing. It operates two seniors' lodges (supportive living), and three manors (independent living - apartments). Rocky View Foundation partnering municipalities are Airdrie, Beiseker, Cochrane, Crossfield, Irricana and Rocky View County.

Funds raised at the event will be used for a greenhouse for the complex.