WHITBY, ONT.—Residents are expected to begin moving into the new Fairview Lodge long-term care home in Whitby, Ont. on June 23.
This comes after Bondfield Construction, the contractor for the new three-storey facility, was heavily criticized for not speeding up construction of the lodge after a fire ripped through an existing facility which was located next door in October 2014.
More than 190 seniors were left without permanent homes because of the blaze and had to be moved into long-term, temporary beds at various facilities within and outside Durham Region.
"We thought the fire would have spurred them to move it forward quicker," Regional Chairman Roger Anderson told the Daily Commercial News previously.
"It’s just hard to believe that they haven’t been more helpful and committed to moving this project forward."
The nearly $41-million project had a completion date of October 2014, Bondfield’s website stated previously. It now reads July 2015.
The company did acknowledge in a statement that "there are various issues that affect a construction project from the day it commences" and added, "Bondfield always works diligently with the entire project team to deliver projects in accordance with its contractual obligations."
Now it appears as though the residents will have a place to call home.
According to the Region of Durham, Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care officials were at the home to conduct the required pre-occupancy inspection on May 27 and 28.
"Staff is actively working to resolve outstanding items, and the ministry will have to return for a follow-up inspection," a statement reads.
"Following resolution, the Region is confident that the ministry will issue approval for residents to occupy the home, as well as a new licence.
"The main item to be resolved involves the nurse call system — an important component of resident safety and well-being."
According to Bondfield, the new facility will have a total gross floor area of about 175,000 square feet, which includes all resident home area spaces, community spaces, facility service spaces and mechanical and electrical spaces. There will be 198 beds, the website states.
The overall site includes an internal roadway, visitor and staff parking, new site services for water, sanitary, storm, landscaping, mechanical and electrical systems.
"We are really excited to reach this final stage," said Marcey Wilson, administrator of Fairview Lodge in a statement.
"Staff and residents are looking forward to being reunited in the Region’s newest, state-of-the-art home."
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