About Co-op Living
Victoria Gardens operates under the same principles and philosophy as many housing co-ops. The key to our co-op is member participation – without it, Victoria Gardens couldn’t operate! All members are required to participate on a committee and contribute to the co-op by doing a regular, assigned chore. Committee participation usually involves one meeting per month, scheduled on a weekday evening. Work arising out of committee meetings are performed by members. Members on the Membership Committee, for example, may show suites and interview applicants; while those on the Maintenance Committee are likely to make arrangements for repairs needed in suites, inspect a suite after a member has moved out, or maintain the landscaping around the building. One chore per suite is assigned on a rotating quarterly schedule. The chore may need to be done biweekly or monthly depending upon the level of work involved. In addition, entire co-op participates in semi-annual (Spring & Fall) clean-ups to take care of the general seasonal maintenance of the building. Members should be prepared to commit to a minimum of four hours of co-op work per month, though this is an estimate and may be more or less depending upon the co-op’s needs.
Those are the requirements of co-op living. The benefits of co-op living are numerous. Aside from the obvious financial perk of reasonable housing charges, the other benefits of living in a community environment are immeasurable. Knowing your neighbours and looking out each other is a pleasure that many living in a large urban centre don’t often experience. Victoria Gardens hosts regular celebrations like summer barbecues in the courtyard and parties in the common room around the winter holiday season, and there are always gatherings after the Spring and Fall Clean-Ups.
Victoria Gardens 