Glenda Fraser loves the view from her new seventh-floor home at The Maple seniors residence on Langley City.
“I have big windows, lots of light, the patio is my favorite spot to read, and once in a while I get to see Mount Baker,” Fraser said. “It’s lovely.”
She was speaking at the official opening of the new facility on Monday, May 11.
Operated by the Langley Lions Housing Society, the eight storey, 101-unit building at 5460 203 St. is the tallest building in Langley. It was built on the site of the 66-unit Birch residence, also operated by the society, that was destroyed by a fire that took the life of one tenant in 2017.
Getting to the official opening was a sometime-bumpy ride that included delays created by problems with the concrete pour during construction as well as often-complicated negotiations between the society and various levels of government.
For a happy, Jeanette Dagenais, CEO of Langley Lions Housing Society, it was an emotional moment that found her struggling to keep her composure as she thanked those present.
“There’s a little bit of bumps here and there, everywhere,” Dagenais said, “but that’s going to happen and nothing’s ever going to be perfect. The most important thing that I see around this room today are faces of people that I know and I trust and have worked together with me for a very long time now.”
Among those thanked by Dagenais were the City, the province, and Terra Housing Consultants, the development management company overseeing the project for the society.
Langley City's The Maple seniors residence officially opens. pic.twitter.com/AnmfoVeaMD
— Langley Advance Times (@LangleyTimes) May 11, 2026
Through BC Housing, the province contributed approximately $11 million from the Community Housing Fund, while the society contributed the land, worth $3.4 million and$3 million in equity, the City waived $150,000 in Community Amenity Contributions and the regional district waived Development Cost Charges.
Susie Chant, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors and Long-Term Care Services told the opening she was “always incredibly glad” to see projects like The Maple get built.
“It’s about ensuring seniors have a safe, accessible home where they can remain connected, supported and independent which we all know is very important,” Chant said.
Langley City Mayor Nathan Pachal explained council approved a master plan for the site that will create 940 units of seniors-focused and special care housing over the long term.
“This is a very very exciting day for Langley City,” Pachal said.
Councillor Paul Albrecht said design input from the community resulted in a plug-in room to charge electric scooters, with a maintenance area and enough storage room space in most suites to park them.
“A lot of them, the doors are wide and you’ve got ample room to get your scooter out of the way,” Albrecht pointed out.