Habitat for Humanity's goal is to house families in the city, and the latest family to move in is the Crook family. Shannon Crook and her children Davis, Shaelynn and Hunter received the keys to their new home at a recent ceremony in the city.
The home is unique because it is a barrier free home, designed to accommodate Shaelynn, who has osteogenesis imperfecta, a rare bone disease, and is sometimes confined to a wheelchair. That means it is all on one level, has wider doors and hallways, and a walk-in bathtub, donated by the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation. Merv Catchuk, project manager, says it was a first for the team and the first barrier free home in southern Saskatchewan.
"It's an accolade for us because it hasn't been done before and we took it on knowing full well that the purpose behind it was for Shannon and her family. It's unique, it's different, and we really enjoyed working on it."
For the Crook family, Shannon says that it's a new beginning for her and her family, and she's glad to finally have a home that can accommodate the needs of her daughter. She says that life will be a lot easier for the family, especially for Shaelynn.
It has been a long process to get into the home, as the build began in 2013, and Shannon says that it has been an educational experience to see her home get built.
"One of the things that you realize is that so many things are involved and not a lot of it is under your control, like the weather... It has taken some time but we got here today."
For her part, Shaelynn is excited to have a house that is built with her in mind.
"I am so excited and I am so happy for this day to come finally!"
Like every Habitat family, the Crooks had to put in 500 hours of sweat equity and will now have an interest-free mortgage. Shannon says she thanks her children for their support during the build process, and understanding why she had to do this for them.
The next build will take place in 2015 in May, Catchuk says, with the plan to build a duplex.
