Plans for new seniors’ facility continue

By Sean Feagan, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

While the provincial government has not yet responded to a proposal for a new seniors’ lodge by Wheatland Housing Management Body (WHMB), the organization is following the process done in other municipalities.

Through an independent assessment done in 2019, WHMB identified that more seniors care capacity is needed locally, which made the case for a new 165-suite seniors’ housing facility in Strathmore to replace the existing Wheatland Lodge.

In September 2020, the province identified Strathmore as one of 31 communities most in need of continuing care spaces. Interested operators were invited to submit proposals to operate new continuing care spaces under contract with Alberta Health Services (AHS). WHMB provided an expression of interest and started developing plans for a new facility. However, the provincial government has not yet responded, meaning no commitment for provincial funding has yet been secured for the project.

During the the May 4 Wheatland County council meeting, Councillor Jason Wilson said he is hearing from residents who are concerned WHMB has spent funds designing the facility without first securing provincial funding. “They (residents) see that as a waste,” he said.

WHMB chair Glenn Koester maintains it is following the process the province prescribes for new housing facilities. To be granted funding, a detailed plan and budget must first be developed, he explained.

“You can’t get a price without getting plans,” he said. “The government is well aware of what we’re doing – we update them regularly.”

The approach WHMB is taking is identical to that for senior lodges in other Alberta municipalities, including Mountain View County, Kneehill County and Crowsnest Pass, said Koester.

The past provincial government provided 80 per cent of funding and required municipal governments to provide the remaining 20 per cent, he explained. But the current government is looking for third-party partners to help fund these projects. The WHMB has that third-party partner – Wheatland and Area Hospice Society, which is planning to provide hospice space at the facility.

In terms of municipal support for the project, the province requires a commitment and land, said Koester. Strathmore town council approved a contribution for a site for the project on April 7. During that meeting, Strathmore CAO Doug Lagore said the building would be built in two years.

But without funding yet secured, this might have created unrealistic expectations for residents, said Wilson.

If for any reason the plan is stalled, the project can be “put on the shelf” until a more favourable time arises, in which case it could be constructed, said Koester. The only updates required would be to respond to any changes in federal building codes.

WHMB is still waiting on the results of a geotechnical study of the land parcel, and if its results are favourable, a site will be in hand.

A public engagement session is being held on May 13 by Berry Architects, the firm designing the proposed facility. The presentation, to be held at 7 p.m., will include concept design, detailed budget information and results from an environmental assessment for the site.

“It is not an issue of building or not building it, it is an issue of when – needs are continuing to grow in the community,” said Koester.