Construction of phase one of the re-development project at Bonnylodge is well underway, with chair of the Lakeland Lodge and Housing Foundation Ray Prevost saying he expects to see the $13 million project completed by June 1.
The development, which began in November 2012, will see the opening of a new two-storey lodge residential building and a three-storey independent living facility, as well as a brand new kitchen and extended dining area for lodge residents. The residential areas are set for a June 1 opening, while the kitchen and dining area are expected to be complete by December 2014.
Prevost, a councillor with the Town of Bonnyville, said it was vital for the wellbeing of seniors living in town that everyone steps up to help make the “ambitious” re-development project at the lodge come to fruition.
“This development we're overseeing at the lodge is huge for this municipality, especially the seniors,” Prevost said. “There are a lot of people in town here who have a need for services currently offered at the lodge, and that is a need right now, not a want. It's time for us to take care of those that took care of us.”
Phase one will see the current facility, which has been operating in Bonnyville since the 1960s, extended to accommodate 96 lodge residents and 39 self-contained, independent living individuals. A second phase, which Prevost hopes to get underway in the near future for a 2015 or 2016 opening, will see a new fully developed lodge able to offer its services to 120 lodge residents and 60 independent living individuals.
With 74 people currently on the waiting list for a room at the lodge, Prevost said he would be pushing the provincial government for the funds to start phase two as soon as possible, following a number of meetings with Michael Leathwood, assistant deputy minister of Municipal Affairs, over the course of the past 12 months.
“We're very pleased with the progress that has been made with phase one of the lodge project, but now it's time to (really push) for phase two,” Prevost said. “I met with Michael Leathwood Oct. 31 and he came for a tour of the lodge so he saw the scenario we're faced with right now and what we have planned for phase two and he told me he's on board. He knows we need to do something – anytime there's a waiting list that equals that of a facility's current residential capacity, something needs to be done.”
With phase one currently underway in Bonnyville, and phase two on the table, Prevost said he was starting to focus a little more on the Cold Lake Lodge, with tentative plans calling for a brand new facility to be constructed there, with the older building pulled down.
“Cold Lake has some serious issues with what was a very poorly designed building there and the problems experienced there (on almost a daily basis) are really quite extreme,” Prevost said. “So again, Mr. Leathwood is on board with our plans to put up a new building there and demolish the old one, the province just needs to find creative ways to fund the project.”
He added, “I do really think it's all going to come to fruition though, both the new building in Cold Lake and phase two of the Bonnylodge. I really do, we just need to be patient. We have our MLA on board and she knows what is needed and she's working really hard for us. I'm sure Mr. Griffith (the Minister of Municipal Affairs) isn't getting much rest with Genia (Leskiw) on his case.”
The new facilities in Bonnyville will see residents moved into rooms over three times the size of their current dwelling and while Bonnylodge CAO Connie Surgeson admitted the rental rate for accommodation may rise, she remained committed to offering a “more than reasonable” rate for lodge residents.
Prevost said the new building would give the residents a place to live that they could be proud of, stating he was excited to see what it all looked like upon completion next summer.
“I'm sure the building will be very nice upon completion, and it will give the residents the type of living space they deserve,” Prevost said. “It's about time we did something for the people that paved the way for us. These are the guys that paid the taxes and helped build this town into what it is today, so we have a responsibility to take care of them and help them in anyway we can.”
He added, “We may be a little bit behind, but trust me on this one, this project will go through to completion. I won't stop until the job is finished.”
