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The wait continues for stakeholders in the delayed Northern Heights Care Community project but parent company Sienna Senior Living says it remains "fully committed" to seeing the 160-bed North Bay long-term care facility through to its completion.
Once finished, the residents and staff of Waters Edge are to move to the new building, to be located on the grounds of the former McLaren site of the North Bay General Hospital.
In May, citizens expressed concerns about the lack of activity in the construction zone and then, in June, Sienna announced it had re-issued the request for proposal (RFP) for a general contractor for the long-term care development. The job site has remained mostly dormant since.
See related: Local long-term care development seeking new general contractor
A Sienna spokesperson tells BayToday, "The RFP process will be concluded in the coming weeks. With so much uncertainty in construction, we are determined to secure a general contractor who is committed to helping us deliver on this important project."
It remains to be seen how the re-issued RFP process affects construction timelines and project costs.
Sienna said in June, "Although we may receive a revised construction schedule following the request for proposal, at this time the forecasted date of completion is still the end of 2023."
Last week, when asked to confirm construction deadlines, Sienna offered, "We will of course share an updated timeline once established."
See also: Northern Heights long-term care project is still a go despite delays
It has taken years to arrive even to this point. The current Waters Edge building lacks modern features and is nearing the end of its useful life.
The design for the new three-storey Northern Heights includes five wings of 32 residents with dining rooms for each wing. The design calls for two shaded courtyards and private gardens that may be used for visits. Northern Heights is to include all one- and two-bedroom retirement suites for independent residents and those who require assisted-living situations and will close the outdated William Street facility.
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. Its occupancy fluctuates around 110 beds in use.
In correspondence with residents and families of Waters Edge, Executive Director Denis Filiatrault thanks them for their support and promises Sienna will provide updates through the last planning and preparation stages of the project.
"I can tell you that we remain fully committed to the development of this new home," writes Filiatrault. "This is an important development project for all of us. And while work on-site has slowed temporarily, our team is working diligently behind the scenes to ensure the project moves forward as soon as possible."
With the design plans complete and ready for Ministry of Long-Term Care approval, Sienna's "goal is to have an active construction site," once municipal agreements are finalized and weather permits.
Sienna maintains, that in its mission to serve seniors in the region, significant work has already taken place on the project to redevelop the existing Waters Edge Care Community into a new modern long-term care home. The preparation of the grounds at the new site has included the demolition and removal of existing structures, and the blasting and excavating of the existing building footprint.
"This is one of the biggest development projects in the City of North Bay," Sienna CEO Nitin Jain said in July 2021. "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."
In June, Filiatrault stated, "We are working through some delays due to the supply chain, resulting in new and ongoing negotiations with our contractor and sub-trades. While our experience with supply chain issues is similar to most construction projects in the province, it does not change our commitment or ability to build Northern Heights."
Sienna stated then, "We want to assure residents, families, team members, and the community that this is not an uncommon step to be taken for such a project, and is in keeping with our commitment to delivering a modern care community to the people of North Bay."
