Author: Woodsworth Housing Co-op

From the Board of Directors, October 17, 2022

Over the past year, we’ve tried to undertake a thorough examination of many of the Co-op’s structures and procedures, including our security and life safety systems. Our goal has been to improve them, and to make them more efficient and secure. As part of that effort, one of the things that became very clear to us was that our current key system was badly in need of an overhaul.

As a result, Woodsworth will be switching to a new Master Key System, in the coming weeks. Al units will have their locks changed, and members will receive new keys. We expect the changeover to happen in early December.

The purpose of a master key system is to reduce the number of keys in circulation (a security risk) and also to facilitate co-op access to units for repair work, or in case of emergency. The current system is extremely cumbersome and we are sorry to say, security breaches have occurred.

The new system will introduce much stricter security protocols for both the On-call Unit Key Box, and for the use of keys by maintenance workers and contractors. We will be tracking the use of all unit keys held by the co-op. Masters and sub-masters will also be securely stored and their use strictly controlled. Members, and the co-op as a whole, will be much safer and and more secure.

Currently, we are working to set up the new security standards, a system for payment requirements and a key distribution schedule for members. To make the changeover as possible, management will be sending out more information and instructions in the coming days and weeks.

Every household will receive one key per the number of bedrooms in their unit, plus one extra key: for example a 1-bedroom unit will receive two keys, a 2-bedroom unit will get three keys, etc.

Please be aware that members will NOT be able to cut their own keys because each key will have a unique registration number which only the original manufacturer can use to replicate. It will only be possible to order extra keys through the Co-op Office.

Rest assured, every household will get the chance to order extra keys, at a lower price, before the installation in December. However, after the new key system is in place, the cost of extra keys will increase significantly, so plan ahead. More details to follow soon.