Construction continues on the new $62-million dollar Extendicare long-term care home project on Algonquin Road in Sudbury.
Work began on the new facility almost two years ago in November of 2020. At that time, Extendicare's corporate office suggested the project would be finished in late 2022. An update published by the contractor, PCL Construction, in November 2021 said the project is now expected to be completed early in 2023.
A recent video was posted to YouTube, showing what was titled as the fifth video update of the new four-storey structure.
The corporate media office said Friday that construction is moving forward and the plan is that the building should be officially opening by the summer of 2023.
“The final concrete pour is expected at the end of the month, meaning that our construction team will have reached the tallest point in construction, and the cranes will soon be removed,” said the media office.
The company also provided updates to the public through a company "blog" which contained information on the Sudbury project along with information on similar projects in other Ontario cities.
"We’ve been busy!" said the blog. "Construction progress continues with new long-term care homes to serve communities in Sudbury, Kingston, and Ottawa. Extendicare continues to advance our commitment to redevelop every older long-term care home in our network.
“Our teams are working hard on the redevelopment of our older homes and the construction of new LTC homes in Ontario. Work is currently underway on our projects in Sudbury, Ottawa, and Kingston, as part of our plan to invest $1.4 billion in modernizing all 21 older homes in Ontario.”
The new building on Algonquin Road is being built to replace the old Extendicare facility on Falconbridge Road, which was constructed in the 1970s. The facility will have space for 256 beds and under new design parameters, long-term care homes must provide only one bed to one room. This will move away from previous designs where occupants shared their rooms with as many as three other residents.
"Our home designs will better meet the needs of seniors in our care today and those who will rely on our care tomorrow. Once complete, each home will offer residents enhanced quality of life, through expanded square footage, private bedrooms for all, improved resident activity and restorative therapy areas, and more dedicated space for connections with loved ones in family lounges," said the Extendicare blog.
Len Gillis covers health care and mining for Sudbury.com.
