Nith Terrace: The heart of a close-knit seniors’ community in New Hamburg

Property manager Nelson Dusky stands by the front sign and garden at Nith Terrace Seniors’ Apartments. Dusky has managed the building for 24 years and says the residents’ community spirit keeps it thriving. Amanda Modaragamage photo

By Amanda Modaragamage

Tucked away on Waterloo Street in New Hamburg, Nith Terrace Seniors’ Apartments stands as more than just a place to live – it’s a thriving community built on friendship, independence and pride.

The 30-unit complex, built in 1982, offers affordable, independent living for seniors through a rent-geared-to-income model. With mostly one-bedroom apartments and a few two-bedroom units, Nith Terrace has become a sought-after housing option in Wilmot Township, with a waitlist of around 60 people.

But beyond the numbers, what makes Nith Terrace special is how it’s run – and who keeps it running.

“We are not a charity, we don’t accept donations and we do not provide receipts,” said John Hanson, president of the Nith Terrace Seniors’ Apartments board. “We are governed by a volunteer board of directors – five members who provide the governance. It’s a free-standing operation that’s self-sustaining in its current form.”

The project was originally launched through a donation of land from the New Hamburg Board of Trade, a Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) mortgage and regional subsidies. Four decades later, it remains one of the few personally owned, non-government-affiliated senior apartment buildings in the region.

“The rent-pricing model has evolved over time, but today, our mission is to provide affordable senior housing at about 80 per cent of market rate,” Hanson explained. “This is a very important component of senior housing in the Township of Wilmot.”

With a community lounge, games room, laundry facilities and shared kitchen and meeting spaces, the building’s layout encourages connection and activity. Yet it’s the residents themselves who make Nith Terrace feel like home.

“The people here get along really great,” said property manager Nelson Dusky, who has overseen the building for 24 years. “Everybody sort of looks after each other. They’re not nosy, but if something happens, the tenants help one another.”

That sense of camaraderie is reflected in the many social events hosted throughout the year – from barbecues and potlucks to spaghetti and lasagna dinners. Monthly fundraisers and special gatherings, like free Christmas dinners, also bring residents together.

“A lot of our tenants go above and beyond, like looking after the flower beds and taking care of things around the building,” Dusky said. “They really take pride in the place.”

For resident Dorothy Harding, it’s that neighbourly spirit that defines Nith Terrace.

“We really do look out for each other here,” she said. “We’re really like a family.”

The apartments also offer practical conveniences – affordable rent with utilities and cable included, free parking and individual thermostats in each unit. Its downtown location is another major perk.

“Living here is really convenient because it’s in the downtown area,” said tenant Paul Ilgner. “You can get places easily, and our son lives close by, which makes it even better.”

While residents enjoy the comforts of home, the board remains focused on ensuring Nith Terrace’s long-term sustainability.

“We’re currently having a facility condition audit and reserve study done by an engineering firm,” Hanson said. “With a 43-year-old building, we’re planning for the future – repairs, upgrades and keeping everything in good shape. Today, the facility is in very good condition.”

That approach has earned Nith Terrace a reputation far beyond New Hamburg.

“Nith Terrace has been referred to as a bit of a poster child for how to run a seniors’ apartment,” Hanson said. “It’s been used as a model for other regions as well.”

For the residents who call it home, though, the success of Nith Terrace isn’t measured in reports or studies – it’s in the friendships formed, the gardens tended and the sense of belonging that fills its halls every day.