On June 13 2023, after several years of planning and fundraising, Marianhill CEO Linda Tracey, Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care Paul Calandra and local MPP John Yakabuski officiated at an historic ground-breaking to mark the $59 million expansion of one of Renfrew County’s largest long-term care facilities.
“Our government is fixing long-term care and a key part of that plan is building modern, safe and comfortable homes for our seniors,” said Minister Calandra. “And I’m pleased to announce that Marianhill is one of the first non-profit homes to benefit from Ontario’s new funding formula.”
The redevelopment of Marianhill will be completed in three phases. The first phase is expected to start welcoming its first new residents in winter 2025, construction of the final phase is forecast to start in winter 2025 with residents arriving in summer 2026. The home will provide 29 new and 131 upgraded beds in private, semi-private and basic rooms, for a total of 160 modern long-term care beds.
The renovated and expanded Marianhill will offer enhanced services for residents in need of dementia care, behavioural supports and palliative care, and feature innovative design improvements, including larger common areas and air conditioning throughout. The new floorplan will be centered around custom designed resident home areas, each providing intimate and familiar living spaces for up to 32 residents, including dining and activity areas, lounges and resident rooms.
In addition to recognizing the support of Minister Calandra and MPP John Yakabuski, CEO Tracey thanked the following organizations and groups for making Building Care a reality:
- Government of Ontario and especially the staff within Minister Calandra’s office who guided us through this process
- City of Pembroke for sharing our vision towards increasing quality healthcare services and amenities close to home
- AdvantAge Ontario for advocating on our behalf with the Government of Ontario to ensure the best possible aging experience for local residents
- Building Care Fundraising Chair Hec Clouthier who worked diligently behind the scenes to raise over $1.1M for Marianhill
- Chair Glenn Casey and the ever-supportive members of the Marianhill Foundation who leveraged those funds to bring the Foundation’s total commitment for Building Care to $4 million
- Dredge Leahy Architects who helped us envision what we had only dreamed of for so long
- M Sullivan & Son, local contractors who will bring this vision to life, right here in the heart of Pembroke
- And to the passionate and giving team of board members, management and staff who each and every day support her and the people who call Marianhill home.
In closing, Ms Tracey asked “that we each take a moment to think of those in our lives who have benefited from the support of long-term care. We have all been impacted. It’s no wonder then that this project is the result of the overwhelming generosity of many: private individuals, community organizations, corporate partners and governments at every level. Because end-of-life care affects us all.”
Finally, CEO Tracey shared the words of Pope John Paul II: “The future begins today, not tomorrow.”