I’ve spent the last two days following what can only be described as a distressing situation at Westview Heights, a Calgary seniors’ apartment building where elevator failures have essentially trapped elderly residents in their homes.
Yesterday afternoon, I visited 79-year-old Margaret Wilson in her 14th-floor apartment. What struck me immediately wasn’t just her frustration, but the quiet resignation in her voice as she explained how she’s missed critical medical appointments due to being unable to navigate the stairs.
“I haven’t been outside in three weeks,” Wilson told me, gesturing toward her walker. “My daughter brings groceries, but I missed saying goodbye to my sister. She passed while I was stuck up here.”
The situation at Westview Heights represents a troubling pattern I’ve observed across Calgary’s aging infrastructure. According to the Calgary Seniors’ Resource Society, approximately 14% of Calgary seniors live in buildings with maintenance issues that affect their mobility and independence.
The property management company, Silvercrest Properties, claims parts shortages have delayed repairs. “We understand residents’ frustration and are working diligently to resolve this issue,” their spokesperson told me via email. Yet residents report this is the third major elevator failure in 18 months.
City Councilor Terry Wong, who represents the area, expressed concern when I contacted his office. “This situation is unacceptable. Seniors deserve safe, accessible housing,” Wong said. His office indicated they’re exploring whether building code enforcement might provide leverage to expedite repairs.
What makes this particularly troubling is the human cost. Wilson missed her sister’s funeral in Edmonton because she couldn’t leave her apartment. Another resident, 82-year-old James Peterson, described rationing his heart medication because he couldn’t reach the pharmacy.
The Alberta Seniors Advocate reports a 23% increase in complaints about housing accessibility issues since 2020. This isn’t just about inconvenience – it’s about dignity and safety.
During my reporting, I noticed how the community has rallied. Neighboring residents have organized volunteer “stair escorts” to help mobile seniors navigate the 14 floors when absolutely necessary. Local grocery store Calgary Co-op has arranged special delivery services.
However, these stopgap measures cannot replace proper infrastructure maintenance. The Alberta Building Code requires functional elevators in buildings exceeding three stories, but enforcement mechanisms often move slowly.
As I was leaving Westview Heights, I watched a paramedic team struggling to carry equipment up nine floors to reach a resident experiencing chest pains. The four-minute elevator ride had become a dangerous 15-minute stair climb.
The situation raises serious questions about how we value our seniors. Calgary’s population of residents over 65 is projected to double by 2042, according to Statistics Canada. Our infrastructure planning needs to reflect this demographic reality.
For residents like Wilson, the frustration goes beyond inconvenience. “I’ve lived independently my whole life. Now I feel like a prisoner because someone didn’t maintain an elevator,” she told me, her voice breaking slightly.
As Calgary continues developing its Seniors’ Strategy, cases like Westview Heights should serve as urgent reminders that housing accessibility isn’t a luxury – it’s essential infrastructure that preserves dignity, independence, and in some cases, like Wilson missing her sister’s funeral, irreplaceable life moments.
I’ll continue following this story as repairs progress. For now, though, dozens of seniors remain effectively trapped in their homes, waiting for parts that seem perpetually delayed.
