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Mundare Mayor Reacts to Impending Closure of Seniors Lodge
Mundare Mayor Reacts to Impending Closure of Seniors Lodge
Michelle Pinon - News Advertiser
Mundare Mayor Cheryl Calinoiu said she was “deeply saddened” by the lack of communication received from the Lamont County Housing Foundation (LCHF). She contends that Town of Mundare council, along with Lamont County council were not notified by LCHF about the intended closure of Father Filas Manor in Mundare until after the decision was made.
She added that, “There was also a lack of communication between the Foundation and the 14 residents, their families, the staff, the community and even our MLA.
I understand that meetings were held at the Foundation level where members were sworn to secrecy under the Closed Camera Code. Coming out of camera there is information that could have been shared like the financials. If town council and county council, along with members of the community knew what was going to happen, there could have been an opportunity for the board of the housing foundation to discuss options.”
LCHF Chief Administrative Officer Shahad Bharmal was asked if Town of Mundare and Lamont County councillors were ever notified by the housing foundation about the intended closure? He replied, “No one was informed of the closure as it was discussed in camera. The letter went to the Minister after the board’s motion.” That motion was made at the LCHF on March 29.
Bharmal clarified that the LCHF Board of Directors were, “Not sworn to secrecy, but confidentiality is adhered to given the sensitive nature of the business, seniors’ services and care that we provide.” He also pointed out that, “The Foundation is a private legal entity and governed by the Board of Directors.”
He pointed out that, “Residents and Staff were, and needed to be, the first to be informed of the closure.” Bharmal said that occurred on April 9. The following day, a news release was sent to at least one news organization. The Vegreville News Advertiser (VNA) did not receive the news release, but it was forwarded to VNA following a brief discussion with Bharmal on April 29. Bharmal also answered follow up questions from VNA in time for its May 1 edition.
Bharmal said Father Filas Manor dates back to 1973 and is owned by the Government of Alberta. Calinoiu said, no renovations had been done to interior of the building since the units were built in the 70’s. “Simple upgrades like flooring or adding a shower to some units, could have been done over a period of time to keep the building sustainable with more residents wanting to live there.”
Calinoiu would like to know if grants were applied for and what the government response was. She pointed out that the Andrew Seniors Lodge had been upgraded to include self-contained units, but Mundare was not given the same opportunity. Andrew Seniors Lodge was also operated by LCHF and closed at the end of 2018.
Bharmal said, “Renovations were made to a few suites but not the whole facility. Four of the 38 suites are bigger and have full bathrooms, otherwise showers/baths are shared. We currently have 14 residents out of 38 suites (i.e. 64 percent vacancy rate.) Any new renovations will cost a lot more. It would be better to decant and rebuild if there is a need. Currently, there are six or seven lodges that are 30 minutes away from Mundare.”
Calinoiu said Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville MLA Jackie Armstrong-Homeniuk had requested and scheduled a meeting with LCHF CAO and Board Chair, two Town of Mundare councillors and Lamont County councillors who sit on the LCHF board. “The board declined to attend the meeting,” stated Calinoiu.
Bharmal said he was invited to that meeting and then received a cancellation request. He said he does not know why that meeting was cancelled.
Armstrong-Homeniuk was asked to comment on the impending closure and that meeting. She stated, “The closing of the Father Filas Manor is a decision that I know has troubled many constituents. I reached out to the Lamont County Housing Foundation for a meeting which they declined. As the Lamont Seniors Housing Foundation is a county entity with an independent governing board, they are not required to consult with myself as per the guidelines set out in their mandate. As your MLA, I always have and will continue to advocate on behalf of the needs of our seniors in the Legislature to find solutions that address seniors and their housing needs within our community.”
Calinoiu has called for a public apology to the community for the “lack of communication from LCHF and especially to the residents who have been forced out of their home.”
According to the LCHF news release, Father Filas Manor will close by Dec. 31, 2024.
