Why we want to change Barrhead Trailer Court

About 40 years ago Colleen Stein's parents built Barrhead Trailer Court, providing a start for young people hoping to get on the property ladder.

It is a legacy she and sister, Diana, inherited once their father, Adolf, died in 1997.

It is also a legacy they want to keep in a way that would make their parents – and Barrhead – extremely proud.

They believe turning the trailer court into a haven for those aged 60 and over will achieve this.

"We've been thinking about a change of use for a long time, " Stein said last Wednesday. "I think there is a need that needs to be met.

"We just want a 60-plus community, where it is safe and provides people with independence, dignity and space of their own – a place where in their twilight years they are offered more support. "

Stein said she and her sister, brother and the property manager could look after yards, clear snow and wash windows, if required.

"That's the kind of community we want to build, " she added.

Stein said there are 39 lots at the court, nine or ten occupied by seniors, who will be able to stay under the change of use plan. There are also several vacancies.

Of the lots where mobile homes will be transitioned out of the park, eight have been sublet, a practice that was in breach of leases and had created problems, said Stein.

The other 16 tenants included four single males and two women with teenagers.

"I think there are four young families who will be required to move, " said Stein.

Transitioning will be carried out in stages over the next 24 months.

Notices signed by Stein were delivered to tenants at the beginning of the month. She said she had met some tenants face-to-face to explain the decision.

"One called me to say 'I'm so glad you are doing this. It's about time. We've had so many issues with a neighbour and change is needed.' That's the other side of this story. I'm just trying to do the best I can. "

Stein, who is staying locally at a brother's farm after living in Toronto, was reluctant to dwell on some of the challenges she has faced at the park.

However, she said subleasing had posed ongoing challenges.

"In our leases it says there should be no subletting, " she said. "Nevertheless, it has been going on and we were prepared to accept that as long as tenants come through us so we can screen them.

"This didn't happen, however. We had trailer owners who no longer lived at the park. They didn't inform us, so we didn't know who was living in the trailers. This has gotten out of control. "

Stein said she had been forced to deal with certain "situations " over the last six months.

She added one tenant had used his home "as a flophouse ", creating a nuisance for neighbours, while another had fallen so far behind in rent and property taxes that his trailer was worth less than he owed.

The age of certain trailers was also a cause for concern.

"Some of trailers have been there from the time my parents were there – 40 years at least, " said Stein.

Stein said she and Diana wanted higher standards at the park and that meant newer trailers.

"We moved a new one in recently and we will be selling it, " she added.

Born and raised in Barrhead, Stein said she sympathized with those who faced transitioning over the next 24 months, although she considered the length of notice very reasonable.

She said she would provide what help she can – but first those tenants had to take responsibility for their lives and see what options are available.

"If people want to talk to me for guidance I will not turn them away, " she said.

Stein understood the complaints of those who felt Barrhead did not offer enough for young people, but believed the area was full of opportunities. There are lots of jobs – certainly more than in Ontario, she said.

"When I was a kid here coming out of high school, I didn't think there was much here, " she said. "But my friends did and stayed here. It's all about your perspective.

"I rented across from the IGA and I lived in a duplex. You get roommates if you can't afford your accommodation. I also worked at the Inn to make ends meet. The world is so big and open for young people. "

Stein said she knew of a couple who married young and rented a trailer court lot from her mum and dad.

The couple built up some savings, bought a little piece a land and moved their mobile home onto it. Their plans were to build a permanent home.

"The trailer court was a wonderful stepping stone, " she said. "It shows how people can move forward and seek out new options. "

Stein said her plans for the trailer court would help the more vulnerable members of society.

"They may have financial or physical limitations, " she said. "I want the opportunity to help them and I know my parents would like to see that happen too.

"The trailer court is our parents' legacy and we want them to be proud and the town to be proud as well. "

Stein said an advantage of a trailer court was that people did not have to climb stairs.

"There are plenty of buildings that don't have elevators, which can be a problem for seniors, " she said. "If you are 70 is it an option to be lugging groceries up three or four storeys? "

Stein's vision of the trailer park is a close-knit community where people look after each other, tenants tend yards and help is offered when needed. There was also the possibility of putting a gazebo where the playground stands, and cultivating flower gardens.

"I've been talking to a lot of seniors and at least here at the court they can have small pets, which offer some security and company. It's nice to have a pet. "

"We have the means to provide a much more supportive community, so that is what we want to do, " Stein added.

"I feel it's right way to go. I want Barrhead to be proud of our community. That's what I'm shooting for. "