Council to discuss selling Pioneer Manor

City council will consider the idea of selling Pioneer Manor at their Dec. 14 meeting.

Ward 7 Coun. Dave Kilgour raised the idea of selling off the manor during recent budget deliberations.

Council will look at a number of options for the city-owned long-term care facility.

The first option is to continue to operate Pioneer Manor in a manner and direction consistent with its current strategic plan.

The second option is to transfer municipal beds to a for-profit or not-for-profit operation. The property in the hands of a third party would likely result in it becoming taxable, thus adding to the municipal tax base, according to the report.

A third option would see the city engage an industry expert to advise on best practices, where the city would continue to own the manor, but experts would provide advice.

A fourth option would be to contract out management of the manor subject to appropriate approvals and conditions being met to the satisfaction of the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

As there is significant additional analysis and due diligence required for a project of this complexity and magnitude, a third party will need to be retained to assist with some or all of the work, should council decide to pursue any of the options aside from maintaining status quo.

The proposed operating subsidy for 2012 for Pioneer Manor is $4.2 million. The net budget increased to $3.7 million in 2011, up from $1.4 million in 2004.

In addition, the 2012 Health and Social Services Capital envelope of about $700,000 has been dedicated to Pioneer Manor, according to a report filed by the city.

There are currently 622 long-term care homes on Ontario, and 103 of those homes (or 17 per cent) are operated by municipalities.

Posted by Arron Pickard