The Village of Winston Park was humming with activity on Oct. 16 as residents, team members, loved ones and a wide range of guests officially celebrated the grand opening of the fully-expanded Long-Term Care neighbourhoods.
In April of 2023 after two years of construction, residents moved into the new neighbourhoods in the beautiful, 8-Floor tower of neighbourhoods of the first phase of Winston Park’s expansion. At that time, renovations began in the old neighbourhoods of the original LTC home that opened in 1991. The grand opening in the fall of 2024 was a time to celebrate the culmination of efforts that led to a state-of-the-art, 288-bed LTC community on the footprint of the Village that launched the Schlegel Villages organization as it is known today.
Leadership team members began the day serving a barbecue lunch for residents and team members from retirement neighbourhoods and those in LTC – a four-hour event with cakes and cotton candy and music and entertainment the spilled into each neighbourhood. By mid-afternoon, more guests had arrived and in the heart of the new open space of the revitalized Eby neighbourhood, reflections were shared.
“This Village was built with one purpose in mind,” said Assistant General Manager Luke Denommé as he welcomed guests, “to create a warm and nurturing environment where our residents can thrive.”
Ron Schlegel, the man who first built Winston Park and now lives in its retirement neighbourhoods, looked on with a broad smile as Luke spoke. His vision for a place where people can thrive in Village life has expanded to include 18 Villages, and more are under construction.
Ron’s son, Jamie, acknowledged the impact of his father’s vision in his address, as did Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care, Natalia Kusendova-Bashta. The minister had visited Winston Park’s sister Village in Waterloo, the Village at University Gates, that morning and she also had the opportunity to tour the Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging, which Ron also founded.
“I also want to salute Ron for your vision,” she said. “Over the last four months I have visited several of your homes and I can feel the touch and the legacy that you have built here around you. We, at the ministry of Long-term Care are also very proud of the legacy that you built because you are a true visionary.”
Jackie Papke, the President of Residents’ Council at Winston Park was among the first residents to move in back in early 2023. She spoke of the beautiful layout of the Village as she addressed guests during her remarks, and she spoke of the activities and entertainers that brighten every day. Her main praise was for the team members, however, for they are what bring kindness, compassion and connectedness to her and her 287 neighbours – the team is what makes the community thrive.
“I want to thank, especially, the staff for the kind care they provide, going beyond their duties and responsibilities,” Jackie said. “Getting to know them and forming friendships keep us feeling more connected and makes our time here far more meaningful.”
As beautiful as a new Village is, it is the people that make it a true home, and that was what the celebrations at Winston Park were all about.
