The Westlock Foundation has received a $2.16 million cash infusion from the provincial government to put toward the nearly completed Pembina Lodge expansion.
Foundation CEO Marilyn Lannon met with George VanderBurg, Alberta’s Minister of Seniors, in Edmonton last Thursday and both spoke with the Westlock News about what this funding means for the community and the province.
VanderBurg emphasized the importance of provincial-municipal partnerships in accommodating the growing seniors’ population in the province.
“We have 100 people turning 65 each and every day here in Alberta, and with the demographic change of 425,000 seniors today growing to 650,000 seniors in 10 years, we need to get ready and we need to partner with good organizations like the Pembina Lodge,” he said.
This most recent cheque comes to the foundation as the $14 million project has passed the 50-per-cent completion mark, and is the fulfillment of a $5.4 million promise made the Mary Anne Jablonski, the previous minister.
“It’s a great day for the citizens of Westlock,” VanderBurg said. “This community is an aging community and it needs the support of the government. I can’t think of a better project to support.”
Lannon said while this money will go toward the Phase 1 expansion, she expects to be in contact with the government soon with respect to Phase 2.
Phase 2 is expected to include more new units as well as an upgrade kitchen and dining room area. Once the Phase 1 expansion is open the existing kitchen will have to double its output to accommodate the new residents, who will use the giant atrium in the expansion as a temporary dining room.
“My vision (for Phase 2) is to have a big dining room and kitchen area that will welcome the community; it will welcome the residents’ families to come and be part of the meals and be part of the activities,” Lannon said.
As to the number of units, and whether those units will be rentals or life-lease units like what is going in on the top floor of the Phase 1 expansion, she said that would depend on how things work out with residents moving into Phase 1.
Phase 1 is still on track to be completed this spring, and Lannon said the foundation will look to have people moved in for early this summer.
“We’ll be contacting the prospective residents on the waiting list within the next few weeks and getting them lined up for July 1 for sure,” she said. “We want to get everything ready before we start moving them in.”
VanderBurg said the province will make more money available for seniors housing in the province over the next three years — $25 million per year will be available to help municipalities and organizations increase the available space.
“More communities need to do exactly what’s happening in Westlock,” he said. “The provincial government cannot and will not do it on our own. We need community partners and this is just a great example of Albertans getting together, sitting around the table together and partnering.”
