It’s a staggeringly hot afternoon in late July when a Schlegel Villages bus pulls into the construction site at 800 Yonge St. in Barrie, carrying a small group of residents from Coleman Care Centre. They’ve come to see the very foundation of what will become their new home—though they wisely choose to stay in the cool comfort of the bus’s air conditioning as the official groundbreaking ceremony gets underway.
Schlegel Villages President and CEO Jamie Schlegel steps aboard the bus before moving to the podium to greet and welcome Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care, the Honourable Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, and Barrie’s Mayor Alex Nuttall. These residents, he says, are the reason the Schlegel Villages mission exists, and he’s grateful they’ve come to take part in this important occasion.
One resident, Maria, speaks up with her slight Italian accent, wanting to know when construction will be complete. She jokingly scoffs at the reply—two years—saying she thinks the construction team can do better with a little extra effort.
Coleman Care Centre, which has been part of the Barrie community for nearly 40 years, has been in the Schlegel family for 13 of them. The team, residents, and their families have long awaited this moment, and many turned out to be part of the official groundbreaking for what will become The Village of Innis Landing.
“I want to start by acknowledging our incredible and amazing seniors who live in long-term care,” Minister Kusendova-Bashta says, waving to the residents on the bus. “You are the reason we dream big. And when we dream big, we dream of beautiful, state-of-the-art modern facilities—places that offer more opportunities for seniors to come together.”
“The model of the Village is very unique,” she continues. “It’s beautiful, with Main Street and all the things that are built around it, because it truly does take a village, doesn’t it?”
The Minister also pauses to recognize Schlegel Villages team members.
“I know how hard you work every day,” she says, looking out to the gathered team. “I know some days are challenging. I know the work isn’t easy, and when you come home and put your feet up, I know they hurt sometimes. I want you to know: I see you, I hear you, and I’m always working to improve the environment in which you work.”
Behind the Minister, Mayor, and CEO at the podium is a deep, wide hole in the ground, towered over by a massive crane that will soon help lay the first major footings. But the true foundation of The Village of Innis Landing is the team at Coleman Care Centre and the residents they serve—people who will carry forward the strong culture of care into this new 192-bed home.
“Our team is absolutely the best,” says Risa, one of the Coleman residents. “I feel like there are more people looking after us than residents. I can’t even describe it—they deserve all the credit.”
Residents’ Council President Kathy Crump agrees as she looks out the window to where the team and dignitaries are gathered.
“We’re so happy it’s finally here,” she says.
