Team and Residents Cheer the Long Awaited News
When Coleman Care Centre first became part of the Schlegel Villages family eight years ago, the vision was always for the original 112-bed long-term care home to be redeveloped to encompass the full continuum of care that defines the village concept.
Coleman Care Centre resident's council president Kathy
Crump was joined by her sister, Trish Martin, at the
April 27 announcment that the village is expanding.
Barrie MPP Anne Hoggarth was at Coleman Care Centre on April 27 to announce that Coleman will be adding 80 additional beds under the province’s ambitious plan to greatly expand long-term care capacity, clearing the path for redevelopment of the almost 40-year-old home. By 2022, the province is committed to create 5,000 additional long-term care beds as part of a ten-year plan to add 30,000 new beds to meet the ever-growing demand for long-term care space. Coleman, as well as several other Schlegel Villages expansions to be announced in the coming days, is one part of that overall plan.
The team and residents at Coleman couldn’t be happier, says Kathy Crump, president of the Coleman Care Centre Resident’s Council.
“This announcement means so much to our village,” Kathy said as she addressed a small crowd of team members, residents and dignitaries at the announcement in the bright family room at Coleman Care Centre. “It will allow us to grow and share our experience with many more people, not just in our village but the bigger community. We look forward to all the positive opportunities that we can be a part of and welcoming new residents to our village.”
Kathy Crump (3rd from left) and Rose Lamb (2nd from right) were joined
by dignitaries representing the province, the the North Simcoe LHIN,
Simcoe County and the OLTCA for the April 27 announcement.
Rose Lamb, vice president of operations with the eastern Schlegel Villages, spoke about the new Coleman Village as a community hub that will enhance the lives of not only the 192 people who will call the village home, but also neighbouring seniors in the community.
“We’re looking forward to redeveloping Coleman Care Centre into a full continuum of Care Schlegel Village, which will include long-term care, retirement, assisted living, memory care and senior’s apartments, all designed with our signature Main Street and Town Square,” Rose said. “The new Village will also operate as a seniors’ health hub to support seniors in the surrounding community to live well and longer in their own homes.”
Team members cheered and clapped when general manager Michelle Uprichard gathered them together to share the announcement, and they’ll eagerly await news of when construction might begin.
“I’m very pleased,” said Robert Elvin, who has lived at Coleman Care Centre for nearly three years. “It’s not just us that needs the beds,” he adds. “It’s needed all over and here, it’s long overdue.”
He laughs as he says he’s heard rumours of a new Schlegel Village in Barrie ever since he moved in, and today the team and residents now know for certain it’s going to happen.
“We’ll have an up-to-date building, more space and a proper tuck shop,” Robert says with a broad smile. “It’ll be fantastic.”
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