Since a move across town will leave Waters Edge Care Community nowhere near the edge of any body of water, Sienna Senior Living's new 160-bed long-term care development will need a new name.
President and CEO Nitin Jain led town hall meetings with residents and their family members, and the management and staff of Waters Edge to provide an update on the development to be located on the former St. Joseph's Hospital McLaren site.
"Our goal is to start construction in October of this year. It will be around 24 to 27 months of construction," advised Jain. "So, we expect construction to finish in December of 2023."
The new name for the home will be announced in time for a ground-breaking ceremony to be held subject to public health measures this summer.
"This is one of the biggest development projects in the City of North Bay," Jain noted. "Our company is committed to spending close to $55 million. We expect it to create many construction jobs and we will be adding additional jobs with the 12 new beds. We are very excited."
For the Markham, Ont., based company, it's important to start Sienna's new era of long-term care in North Bay with a fresh start. Through workshops, residents and team members will also play a role throughout the design process, for example, by helping to choose colour schemes and giving feedback on the amenities to be included in the new building.
Waters Edge was previously known as Leisureworld and is located on William Street, on the shore of Lake Nipissing in West Ferris.
"Over the next few months, we would really like your help with picking a new name for Waters Edge, since you will not be at the water," once we move to the new facility, said Jain. "The feedback was that we need a new name for the new site."
Earlier this spring, Sienna confirmed it planned "to move ahead with the expansion and redevelopment of Waters Edge Care Community in North Bay, as previously announced."
The project is gaining momentum after some delays. In 2018, Sienna shared plans for a new facility on the former hospital grounds, at 675 Bloem St. The original plan was to begin construction in 2019 and move residents to the new facility overlooking Lake Nipissing this year. Jain noted in his address the development has been greatly aided by the assistance of the City of North Bay's economic development team.
See related: Remember this? It's been 25 years since the merging of St. Joseph's and Civic hospitals (Demolition Video)
The current configuration of Waters Edge has 148 total beds, including six convalescent care beds. However, as long-term care facilities are legislated away from operating with ward rooms (up to four residents per room), vacated beds are being left empty in those accommodations. Waters Edge currently fluctuates around 110 beds in use.
As stakeholders begin to emerge on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic, long-term care reform is anticipated. The importance of physical distancing and functional air exchange systems has never been more evident to help prevent the tragedies witnessed in long-term care facilities during the pandemic.
In 2018, as part of the future redevelopment, 12 additional long-term beds for Waters Edge were announced by the Liberal Wynne government's Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, bringing the total to 160.
The new development is to include all one- and two-bedroom retirement suites for both independent residents and those who require assisted-living situations and will close the aging William Street facility. No wards. This means all 160 beds will be available to residents.
The design for the new three-storey facility includes five wings of 32 residents with dining rooms for each wing. There will be two shaded courtyards and private gardens that may be used for visits.
There are several features absent or in short supply at the current facility that will be added to the new build, foremost among them, according to residents and staff alike, is air conditioning.
Plans also call for a dedicated, private medical area and space for third-party care for resident needs such as dental or podiatry. Spa areas with hydrostatic therapy tubs and accessible showers will also be included in the design. A large, equipped physiotherapy room to allow physical distancing has been added to the plans and the Sienna team is examining options for private palliative care space.
