​Arrowtarian Villas Awarded $331K for Major Energy Upgrades ... July 2025 

The Arrowtarian Senior Citizens Society in Nakusp has secured $331,670 from the Columbia Basin Trust to carry out significant energy-efficiency upgrades at the Rotary Villa Complex. The project will enhance comfort for residents, reduce operating costs, and lower the facility’s environmental footprint.

The Rotary Villa Complex, which features 52 affordable senior-living units spread across five phases, will undergo a range of improvements. Plans include installing solar panels, upgrading heat pumps for efficient heating and cooling, replacing hot water tanks, and improving LED lighting and HVAC systems where needed.

“These upgrades provide financial benefits and support environmental sustainability,” said Kees van der Pol, president of the Arrowtarian Senior Citizens Society. “We’re not just investing in greener systems—we’re ensuring our residents have comfortable, affordable homes for years to come.”

The funding is part of a larger initiative delivering $5.8 million in clean-energy upgrades to 69 buildings and nearly 1,100 units across the Kootenays. This regional program, supported by BC Housing and the BC Non-Profit Housing Association, aims to improve energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and extend the lifespan of non-profit housing infrastructure.
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For Nakusp’s seniors, the upgrades mean more than just lower utility bills—they represent a step toward a more sustainable future for the entire community.