There’s still work to do before construction can begin on the new Valley Manor planned for next to St. Francis Memorial Hospital.
Manor CEO Trisha DesLaurier says officials are still working on Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) plans for the new long-term care home, which will replace the current Manor on Mintha Street.
Plans for the new building started before 2020, but many designs had to be re-drawn, after provincial safety standards were strengthened due to the pandemic.
DesLaurier says one advantage of that is the new home will be built with very high standards, to keep residents healthy and comfortable.
“The building will be larger, be able to accommodate the additional capacity for IPAC (Infection Prevention and Control) and the additional care levels,” she says. “And it will all be coupled into a home-like environment, as opposed to an institution-like environment.”
The new home will increase resident capacity from 90 to 96. There’s no firm timeline for when the building will open.