Development projects will expand three homes and bring 349 much-needed long-term care beds to the province
GUELPH — Construction is underway at Fairview Mennonite Homes in Cambridge, peopleCare A.R. Goudie in Kitchener, and The Elliott Long Term Care Residence in Guelph. These three homes are among the 67 long-term care home projects fast-tracked this fall with support from the Ontario government’s increased provincial construction funding subsidy for construction starts before August 31, 2023. This is part of the Ontario government’s commitment to build more than 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province.
“Congratulations to the teams at Fairview Mennonite Homes, peopleCare A.R. Goudie Kitchener and The Elliott Long Term Care Residence on their ground-breakings for three modernized and expanded homes. Our government is fixing long-term care and ensuring we build homes for seniors in the communities they help build,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Today marks a significant milestone for Cambridge, Kitchener and Guelph. When construction is complete, 349 additional residents will have a new, modern and comfortable place to call home.”
The current 84-bed long-term care home at Fairview Mennonite Homes in Cambridge will add two additional wings and one floor to create a modernized 192-bed home, including 11 additional beds proposed for dementia care. The home is part of a campus of care, which includes retirement suites, independent living, and supports for home care and active living. The expanded home is expected to welcome its first residents in fall 2025.
Construction at peopleCare A.R. Goudie Kitchener will deliver a new 128-bed building as an addition to the current 80-bed home, which creates a 208-bed home. The home will be part of a new campus of care that offers a range of housing options for older adults. The new building is expected to welcome its first residents in fall 2025.
A renovation at The Elliott Long Term Care Residence in Guelph will add 29 new beds to create a modernized 114-bed home. The home is part of a campus of care that also includes a retirement home and independent living. These buildings, along with the long-term care home, are connected to a community centre hub which is accessible to all residents and their families. The expanded home is expected to welcome its first residents in summer 2024.
All of these homes will feature design improvements, including larger resident common areas and air conditioning throughout the home. The design is centred around ‘resident home areas’, each of which creates a more intimate and familiar living space for up to 32 residents, with dining and activity areas, lounges and bedrooms.
These three homes are among the 67 homes receiving the government’s supplemental increase to the construction funding subsidy, which was designed to stimulate the start of construction for more long-term care homes across Ontario. Under the program, 67 projects have met all government approval criteria to start construction — which means 11,199 new and upgraded beds are now being built to modern design standards across the province.