Thursday, January 6, 2022
VOLUME 4 I ISSUE 28
MERIDIANSOURCE.CA
Pioneer Lodge plans $23.5 million add-on GEOFF LEE
WRITER
.................................. Pioneer Lodge seniors’ residence is hoping to generate community and political support for a proposed three-storey expansion to meet the growing demand for spaces and healthcare. The addition would create 90 new units, including 51 for couples at an estimated cost of $23.5 million and possibly provide care to the level a resident needs it. “Pioneer had over 100 names on a waiting list going into COVID to join a 132-unit facility,” said Pioneer House and Lodge administrator Joy Bell. “The need for Lodge level is still there. We currently have just under 60 names on the waiting list.” Bell points out about 70 Lodge residents have been assessed by Saskatchewan Home Care in the past year as needing level 3 or level 4 care, and one person who requires a longterm care facility.
“As we are sitting with people that have increasing needs, and we are struggling to meet those, there’s no place for those people to go,” said Bell. “It’s definitely very clear, there is a need in our area for all levels of care.” The expansion will add to the current 42 ground-level units, using the existing building footprint. Bell presented the plan and conceptual drawings to the Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society in mid-December with a key mission in mind from Pioneer’s management board. “What we’re trying to do is rally support from the provincial and federal governments and educate people in our area on what could be,” explained Bell. “We need to have the people in Edmonton and in Regina understand what the needs of our area are.” Bell noted 35 per cent of Pioneer residents come from Saskatche-
wan, but the province provides no funding to the facility. “The care for our residents comes from Saskatchewan Home Care, so the only thing they can provide is scheduled care,” she said. Alberta’s deputy minister of seniors and housing, Lisa Sadownik, has accepted an invitation from Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers to tour Lloyd and Pioneer shortly. Bell says their hope is to sell Alberta on the need to support the expansion and different levels of care. Pioneer Lodge is an independent senior living facility with Level 2 care only, while Pioneer House provides supported living care for 44 residents needing Level 4 and 4D care. “We want Pioneer to have the contract (Alberta Health Services) to provide the level of care for the whole facility not just Pioneer House,” said Bell. CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Videre Images by Jason Whiting
Local photographer, Jason Whiting of Videre Images, captured this beautiful photo on New Year’s Eve at Candle Lake Golf Course. We at the Meridian Source wish you all a great 2022!