'Everyone's frustrated,' says resident of Winnipeg apartment with inoperable elevator

Residents of a Winnipeg apartment complex and seniors residence, run by different companies, say they're fed up as their inoperative elevators have been causing physical pain and stress for some.

Robin Morrissette, who lives on the top floor of a six-storey apartment building on Stradbrook Avenue, says the building's only elevator hasn't been usable since October.

Morrissette had his tailbone removed after being hit by a car six years ago, and says he's been avoiding the stairs at all costs.

"I have to climb up six stories of stairs — it hurts," he told CBC News on Monday.

"It's just painful, and there are days where I just debate if I'm going to leave my home or not, because I don't want to deal with it."

Aster Yacob, Morrissette's neighbour, says she's in a similar situation, as she uses a cane and a walker as she recovers from leg surgeries.

"I can't do whatever I'm planning to, because going up and down the stairs is killing me," she said.

Yacob will often stay with her sister after leaving her apartment, because she says it's too difficult for her to go up and down the stairs in the same day.

She's concerned about what will happen if there's a fire or another emergency at the building.

The shut-down elevator affects more than just seniors and people with mobility issues, as Yacob says it's been difficult for families who use strollers to get around.

"Everyone's frustrated."

Ron Penner, chief operating officer of Globe Property Management, which manages the Stradbook building, says the elevator was supposed to be fixed Dec. 1.

The decades-old elevator needed to be modernized, with less invasive work beginning in 2022, Penner said.

But he says the company working on the elevator faced delays, including getting approval for upgrades to fire safety equipment.

"We have been communicating with them about the delays," he said. "I know that doesn't make it better for folks who are walking those stairs, but it is really 100 per cent out of our control."

Seniors 'struggling'

Residents at a 55-plus building in southeast Winnipeg, which is run by a different property management company, have also been without a working elevator since Dec. 12.

Gordon Arseny, who's lived in the building for nearly two decades, says his family's Christmas celebrations were moved elsewhere because of the elevator.

"It's tiring. I mean, we're seniors," he said.

"We're paying rent for an elevator, and we're not getting it."

Arseny says he has a heart condition and often needs to take a break in between floors of stairs.

Friendly neighbours have been lending a helping hand to pull each other through tough times, he said.

"They're struggling, but they're hoping. They're optimistic that things will be done."

The building's management company, WRE Development, says it's working to have the elevator fixed as soon as possible. Work has taken longer than expected because specialized parts are needed, the company said in a written statement to CBC News.

Meanwhile, Arseny says the company needs to move quicker to find the parts it needs.

"It's just getting frustrating," he said.

"It's a big impact for seniors, especially when you're used to having an elevator."