“Hamilton Continuing Care has got special people in it,” says Mary Lou. She would know — she has lived in the small nursing home on lower Wentworth Street for 15 years. On July 31, she and a large group of fellow residents and team members were front and centre as plans for their new home on the brow of the Hamilton Mountain were officially announced.
“Talk about going to the Ritz,” she says with a smile, looking over the large sign showing a rendering of her future home. “This new home will be like going to the Ritz!”
She says she’s already got her bags packed, but she’ll have a bit longer to wait before the 512-bed Village of Fennell Ridge officially opens and welcomes Mary Lou and her neighbours. As Schlegel Villages President and CEO Jamie Schlegel welcomed guests and dignitaries from the city, province, and key project partners — including Mohawk College and supportive housing provider Indwell — he assured people that he hopes to open the new Village doors sometime in 2028.
It is a complex project, Jamie underscored, but it addresses a great need in the city by not only increasing long-term care capacity but also adding supportive, affordable housing through Indwell’s refurbishment of the historic Century Manor building. Beyond that, Mohawk College will have a significant presence on site, and there will eventually be a mix of retirement suites and other housing options, revitalizing a part of the city that has been in decline for decades.
The partnership between Indwell, Schlegel Villages, and Mohawk College was key to moving the project forward. With the support and vision of the provincial government and the backing of city officials, years of negotiation and painstaking attention to detail culminated in the July 31 announcement.
“Today’s announcement really does identify a transformation of an important part of our city,” said Mayor Andrea Horwath. “It’s a model for what’s possible when health care, housing, and education come together with purpose and with infrastructure.”
“When I first learned of this vision, I can tell you it blew me out of the water,” Mayor Horwath added. “It was one of the first big projects I encountered after becoming mayor. I sat down, learned about it, and got a sense of what the vision was. To be here right now, with all of you as partners in this amazing, amazing future for this site, really humbles me as a mayor.”
It’s also a transformation for the Hamilton Continuing Care (HCC) family, many of whom were in attendance along with residents and team members from The Village of Wentworth Heights. Their excitement was evident as they cheered the announcement, and Ontario’s Minister of Long-Term Care, Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, made a point of thanking the team members for their service to the community. With her dedicated background as a nurse, the minister understands their work firsthand.
“To our incredible team — and we don’t say this often enough — thank you for your hard work,” Minister Kusendova-Bashta said. “You work days, you work nights, you work through all the holidays. When we’re celebrating with our families, you are there for your residents. I see you, I hear you, and I will work day in and day out to ensure that the environment in which you work is also modern, state-of-the-art, and a beautiful place to work.”
After the announcement, as Mary Lou looks over the site plans, she also speaks about the team, which she says is what makes HCC a true home.
“They’re so caring,” Mary Lou says. “They’re so kind, compassionate, loving, and good. They go beyond caring — they’re the most outstanding crew there is.”
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