Having spent the best part of the last decade pushing for improvements at the Bonny Lodge seniors living facility, Lakeland Lodge and Housing representatives were “delighted” to announce last week that the provincial government has officially given the green light to move forward with the final phase of the ambitious re-development project.
Since discussions first got underway between area representatives and the provincial government back in 2008, the Bonny Lodge has seen almost $20 million worth of improvements, with this third and final phase expected to put the facility up amongst the best rural senior housing accommodations in the province.
Having been at the table right from the start, Lakeland Lodge and Housing board chair Ray Prevost said he was “very excited” to see the province follow through and support Phase 2-b.
“We're obviously incredibly excited to finally get this project over the finishing line, there are still some minor issues to iron out, but overall we're ecstatic to get the go ahead,” Prevost told the Nouvelle last week. “It's been a long, long road and there have been many challenges along the way, but we really couldn't be happier to have this confirmed now.”
Following a first phase that saw a brand new two-storey lodge residential unit and three-storey independent living facility erected last year, crews have been chipping away at the second phase of the development over the past few months, with a second 30-unit independent living space set for an early 2016 completion.
This final phase, otherwise known as Phase 2-b, will see work commence on the old eastern wing of the facility, bringing in an additional 37 lodge residential units to take the total number of rooms at Bonny Lodge to 128.
“It's staggering just looking at the growth of this facility, it is very much needed in this area,” Prevost said. “We have a waiting list of 61 individuals looking for seniors' housing in Bonnyville alone… This will really provide some accommodations for those in our community that need it most.”
Also included in the final phase of development is a 30-room wing designed for individuals that require a higher level of care.
“That wasn't included in our initial plan, but we're certainly happy to have the higher level of care wing on board… From what AHS have said, there is a real need in our area for those sorts of rooms. I think it will be a huge asset (for the community),” Prevost said.
While the local housing board is still celebrating securing Phase 2-b, Prevost said there was some bad news to come from the announcement.
“Unfortunately, not all news is good news and there is some bad news to come along with this announcement. The board has had to make the very serious decision to not take any more residents in at Bonny Lodge for the time being,” Prevost said.
The decision was forced upon the board as they need to find room for eight individuals currently residing in the old east wing in the main portion of the facility. The east wing will be demolished so as to make room for the two-storey higher level of care and lodge accommodation units.
“It's a tough pill to swallow, but at the end of the day, when the facility is done, we will have a much bigger, much better place for the seniors in our community. This is enormous for them, it's going to be a fantastic facility,” Prevost said.
When construction is complete, Bonny Lodge will have expanded from 74 live-in units to 128, while also growing its self-contained living facilities from 20 apartments to 60, according to Lakeland Lodge and Housing CAO Connie Surgeson. It is expected that construction will be complete by 2019.
“This is just so exciting because there is a real need for this type of accommodation in our community,” Surgeson said. “We've yet to break out into a groove, but I'm sure it will come. This really has been a long, long time coming.”
Prevost was keen to pay homage to his “incredible board” while also reserving special praise for the new NDP government and provincial housing representatives Michael Leathwood and Don Squires.
“The forgotten team here is the board. They have really stayed the course through this entire project and given me the green light to push this thing forward,” Prevost said. “They've been incredible. It was important we had a strong board in place to be able to push through a program like this.”
He added, “On the provincial level, Michael Leathwood and Don Squires have been a real force behind this project, there's no question about that. I'd also like to thank the new government for realizing that this project is one of real importance and value in this community. This is a decision Bonnyville will remember and celebrate for years to come.”
