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Financial Support for Homestead Lodge Expansion highlights need for Long Term Care
Financial Support for Homestead Lodge Expansion highlights need for Long Term Care
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Vegreville town council was faced with the decision whether or not to financially support the proposed Homestead Lodge Expansion project during its Jan. 13 regular meeting.
Corporate Services Director Meghan Saskiw recommended the following:
· The Town of Vegreville approves to the MD of Minburn Foundation for purposes of the Lodge Project a capital contribution of $1,204,748. Based on equalized assessment, this represents our proportionate, one-time contribution of the MD of Minburn Foundation Member Municipality capital funding commitment of three million two hundred thousand dollars ($3,200,000).
· The Town of Vegreville recognizes that to support loan repayment and overall financial sustainability that a change in ongoing requisition levels, estimated at one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) above current levels is required. The Town of Vegreville approves such future increase, as required, at the time operations of the Lodge Project come into effect.
· The Town of Vegreville commitments are contingent of the named Member Municipalities committing to their respective share of identified in (A) and (B) above.
· The Town of Vegreville commitments are contingent of the Alberta Government and CMHC approval of their loans and contributions, that the project is fully funded and meets the parameters and defined above prior to commitment into construction.
Councillor Len Bullock made the motion in favour of the recommendation. The motion received unanimous consent by council.
Councillor Justin Curtis stated during the Jan. 7 legislative committee meeting that the financial contribution would not only be a burden on the Town of Vegreville, but other municipalities as well.
The other municipalities that are members of the MD of Minburn Foundation include the Village of Innisfree, Village of Mannville and the County of Minburn. The contribution amounts would be: $23,350 for the Village of Innisfree, $88,742 for the Village of Mannville and $1,883,160 for the County of Minburn. It should be noted that County of Minburn Council approved a motion of support at its Dec. 16, 2024 meeting.
Councillor Jerrold Lemko pointed out at that time, “This will all hinge on the approval of our (MD of Minburn Foundation) application.” Lemko is council’s representative on that foundation as well as its current Chair.
Lemko also noted that it’s not going to get any cheaper building senior facilities going forward. Mayor Tim MacPhee pointed out that the provincial government used to fund entire senior lodge projects, which is no longer the case.
MacPhee also voiced his concerns around what level of care would be provided if the expansion was approved. Lemko said there are 14 rooms that could be adjusted in the future to accommodate long-term care residents.
Lemko also pointed out that there currently are eight to ten residents in the lodge who need a higher level of care, but there’s no other place for them to go in the community. “So, staff are treating people that are required to be at a higher level of care. They’re assuming that function right now. So, as bad as it is, it’s going to get worse. There are no places to put these people who need long-term and we don’t have these facilities nor anybody thinking of these facilities.”
MacPhee said, “I know the top floor of the hospital is full of patients waiting to get into long-term or a higher level of care…My concern is always, are we meeting the needs of our community right now, and we know long-term is on the rise and we’re way short of that right now, and I do not think we can count on the province to come in. We’ve seen what happens when we bring in a for profit group and the level of care that is supposed to be given is usually not very good.”
Rudyk said during her time on the MD of Minburn Foundation there are “wide ranging” housing needs in the community. She said the issue that’s been highlighted with long-term care falls under the Province’s continuing care (program). Overall, Rudyk felt in terms of funding, “For a nominal amount of money this will be a huge benefit to the community.”
