WESTLOCK – Homeland Housing wants to revamp the aging Pembina Lodge facilities in Westlock, Raymond Cormie, chief executive officer for Homeland Housing told Westlock County council during their committee of the whole meeting on March 11.
Future plans for the lodge include demolishing the 1960 and 1972 additions and replacing them with 60 studio suites spread across two floors.
“Everything would be barrier free and it would also include new commercial kitchens and lobby area at Pembina and a secured court yard and garden area for memory care residents, or those living with dementia.”
Cormie, however, didn’t provide council with an estimated timeline for the project's start or completion.
Reeve Christine Wiese asked if senior housing facilities pay municipal taxes or if they are exempt.
Cormie said senior lodge and supportive living facilities owned by the province are property tax exempt.
Coun. Jared Stitsen asked if there is any way to share information with Westlock County residents to help them better understand the options available to them as they transition into the next stage of housing.
Cormie said he encourages people to first go Homeland Housing’s website at homelandhousing.ca and to the province’s website at Alberta.ca first. He also said they provide residents information through groups in Westlock County, such as the FCSS and Primary Care Network.
Homeland Housing serves Westlock, Legal, St. Albert, Morinville, Jarvie, Clyde, Bon Accord, Redwater and Gibbons. They offer a variety of housing and care options including independent seniors’ apartments, supportive living, affordable housing for seniors, community affordable housing, and designated supportive living levels 3 and 4.
