Long-term care home builders 'delighted' with federal funds

The organization responsible building a new long-term care facility in Chelmsford says it is “delighted” with the $1.9 million federal grant announced by Industry Minister Tony Clement Aug. 24 for the project.

St. Joseph’s Health Centre of Sudbury will build a new 90,000 square feet, 128 bed, bilingual long-term care home. The total cost of the project is $20.8 million.

Fundraising efforts will continue for the purchase of furniture and equipment.

“We are delighted with the announcement and we wish to thank the Minister for having the foresight to invest in our project and in the Greater Sudbury community,” said Jo-Anne Palkovits, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Health Centre.

“We are pleased to have the support and the funding commitments from all three levels of government. This strong partnership will allow this capital project to proceed with the construction of Villa St-Gabriel Villa with a shovel in the ground by late fall.”

Thomas Orendorff, chair of the board of directors stated, “The benefits of this project are threefold. It will create many immediate construction jobs and 160 permanent employment positions once the home is fully operational; it will assist in revitalizing and stimulating the local economy; and it will provide 128 long-term care beds desperately needed in our community to help alleviate the ALC crisis."

“We have received tremendous community support to-date and we look forward to continuing to serve our community with dignity, excellence, service and integrity as we continue to care beyond the moment with this project” said Orendorff.