The former St. Elizabeth convent was packed on a blustery Friday afternoon for the official brick-smashing to mark the end of the demolition phase of the seniors home project.

Future resident Ramona Classen enjoyed the event.

“Wasn’t that fun? If I’d been strong enough, I think I’d like to have gone over there and give it a good whack.”

Mayor Rob Muench, Humboldt-Watrous MLA Donna Harpauer, Stewart Properties president Tyler Stewart and Elizabeth Place board vice-chair Jordan Bergermann took sledgehammers to knock a hole in the last section of wall slated for demolition.

The Elizabeth seniors home is set to open in midsummer, and Stewart previously told Bolt FM he’s excited that most of the rooms are already spoken for.

Muench said this was a good day for Humboldt.

“This is going to provide affordable housing for seniors, and it’s repurposing a building that the Sisters of St. Elizabeth have built in our community, so looking forward it’s going to be a great thing for Humboldt.”

Classen is looking forward to a change of scenery and a chance to make new friends.

“I know it's going to be different. I’ve been alone for a long, long time, and it’s just going to be really different and exciting for me.”

Elizabeth Place board chair Agnes Pratchler said while providing seniors housing is important, it’s even more important to honour the legacy of the building’s former sisters, who cared for rich and poor alike.

The project is nearing completion after five years of prayer and trusting that God was with them, she said.

“It’s absolutely awesome. We finally made it this far - the rest will automatically come.”