Speakers Corner: More frustration over delayed refunds for senior condo development

More people have reached out to CityNews about a condo project in Scarborough that never got off the ground.

Despite promises to get their hefty deposits back, some people are still waiting.

Last March, CityNews first told you about the Trinity Ravine Senior Towers condo project. A ground breaking at the site on Markham Road near Highway 401 was held in 2017.

Several people paid deposits to secure units but since then nothing has been built.

“They said at the time, within a few years, it will all be completed,” said Karen Escofora. She and her husband put down around $60,000 to secure a unit for her parents.

After major delays and no signs of any construction to this day at the site, Trinity Ravine told CityNews back in May that deposits were starting to be refunded.

Escorfora is still waiting for her cheque and so is Ali Lessan’s dad.

“He paid between 55 to 60 thousand dollars,” Lessan said.

Lessan and Escofora join a growing list of people who’ve reached out to CityNews recently asking us to follow up on this story.

As we’ve reported, the project was billed as a Christian living facility for seniors — with ties to Global Kingdom Ministries, a church near the development site.

“After I read the article published by CityNews, I was kind of shocked. You would think with a church there would have to be some level of trust,” Lessan said. “I am not saying they deliberately tried to take people’s money but if the project is not happening, then it’s not happening. Just give people their money back.”

Escofora says she’s been getting the run around for a few months.

“We were booked to get our refund check in July. And they said, ‘no, the money’s not here yet.’ Again, they booked us for August. They then called me two hours before our August appointment telling us that unfortunately, the money’s not here.”

The people behind Trinity Ravine refused our requests for on camera interviews- but we wanted to know- what happened to the
deposit money and why the delay in getting it?

In a statement, Trinity Ravine said: “Money for various sources, including purchasers has been invested in the project.”

A spokesperson told CityNews deposit money was used to pay the City of Toronto for various site development fees.

“The City of Toronto has committed to return a substantial portion of monies owed back to Trinity Ravine, but has been slow to do so. A combination of factors – summer staff vacations and the continuing issues around COVID-19 protocols has slowed the city and our process. We have been working on refunding monies back to purchasers who have requested their deposits returned, plus interest. That process continues in good faith and has all along.”

But the people who reached out to CityNews say the delays have disrupted life plans for a lot of seniors who want to move on. Lessan’s parents, live in Burlington and were looking forward to moving closer to their children.

“Now, they’re staying in Burlington because it’s not like they can afford to put money into another place at this time,” Lessan said.

“Look, I understand delays happen but it’s been six months that, you know, we’ve been waiting, waiting, waiting. And it’s the communication from them that really frustrates me the most,” Escofora said.

We reached out to Trinity Ravine to find out when both Escofora and Lessan’s dad will get their refund. We were told both should expect a cheque this week.

As for the rest of the people still waiting for their deposits, Trinity Ravine told CityNews everyone will be refunded by the end of September.

If you have a question, issue or story you’d like CityNews to look into, reach out to us here.