St. Gabriel's Villa admits first residents

The first residents are settling in at the new St. Gabriel's Villa long-term care facility today (March 28).

The $20.8-million facility will eventually be home to 128 people, but they are moving in a few at a time over the next six to eight weeks.

St. Joseph's Health Centre, the owner of the nursing home, received its occupancy permit from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care last week.

Jo-Anne Palkovits, president and CEO of St. Joseph's Health Centre, led members of the media on a tour of part of the building March 28.

She said contractors have now reached “substantial completion” on the building, meaning 97 per cent of the building is complete, although “there are still always minor deficiencies that need to be worked out.”

The facility was supposed to have been completed about a month and a half ago, but there were construction delays.

Palkovits said the construction delay was disappointing to her organization, as well as for those who were looking forward to moving in.

“In all seriousness, for those individuals, I think it was quite disappointing, and certainly we agree with that,” she said. “But truly, we're just doing the best we can.”

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