The gates are open once more and work on the grounds of the future home of Northern Heights Care Community resumed this week for the first time in one year.
Although the original target date for completion is no longer within reach, Sienna Senior Living says it remains "fully committed" to seeing its new 160-bed North Bay long-term care facility ready to accept residents from the existing Waters Edge Care Community in two-plus years.
See related: Northern Heights update: Sienna Senior Living 'fully committed'
"Construction season in Ontario is gearing back up, and so is the activity at the site of the new Northern Heights Community," Sienna tells BayToday. "The project experienced a temporary slowdown last year, however, significant work has been completed to prepare the site, including demolition and removal of existing structures, blasting and excavating the existing building footprint. Construction is progressing, and we anticipate completing the new home in the summer of 2025."
Once complete, 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 St. Joseph's Hospital.
In June 2022, 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: Local long-term care development seeking new general contractor
Sienna Senior Living says it is "committed to strengthening and expanding long-term care in North Bay, and we look forward to sharing updates on the progress of Northern Heights with the residents, families, team members at Waters Edge and the wider community."
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retirement suites for independent residents and those who require assisted-living situations and will close the outdated William Street facility.
See also: Northern Heights long-term care project is still a go despite delays
Sienna stated at the time of the slowdown, "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."
