A new long-term care site with hundreds of beds is in the works for Newmarket to expand the number of beds available for seniors.
Christine Elliott, minister of Health and MPP for Newmarket-Aurora, made the announcement virtually on April 1 that the Ontario government will build a new site in Newmarket, combining Eagle Terrace and Mackenzie Place, with 157 new long-term care beds and 163 existing beds that will be upgraded.
“Once construction is completed, 320 local residents will have a new place to call home close to family and friends,” she said.
JP Cadeau, president of Revera Canada that owns and operates both homes, said the investment into a new, modern and “purpose built” home means a lot to them.
“Our residents, their families and our staff of both Mackenzie Place and Eagle Terrace… are going to be so excited about today’s news. It’s really special for all of us,” he said.
With this new project there are now 733 new and 163 upgraded long-term care beds in development, under construction or completed in Newmarket.
Mayor John Taylor said this is big news for the residents here, especially those who are in need of care or those struggling with aging parents.
“Seven hundred and thirty-three new long-term care beds for Newmarket is very significant and will mean a great deal to the community,” he said.
He said added beds will help take pressure off of Southlake Regional Health Centre by providing a more appropriate setting for many patients there to move to and serve the community as a whole.
“We have an aging population, a rapidly aging population, and the pressures are growing. This is an incredibly important step forward in meeting the needs of today and the demands of tomorrow in relation to our seniors population,” he said.
Taylor added that he has a personal connection to Eagle Terrace as his mother worked there for 25 years.
“She taught me as I was growing up about the importance of making sure that elderly people in our community are treated with dignity and have a place to live and to call home that they are proud of and feel comfortable and cared for,” he said. “I know my mother will be thrilled to know… that this step forward is being taken.”
No timeline was given for the project, but Elliott said this is part of the government’s goal to deliver 30,000 net new beds across the province by 2028. This new project brings them to 25,000 new beds, representing 86 per cent of the goal.
The government is also providing $3,758,916 to long-term care homes in Newmarket-Aurora this year to provide additional staffing and increase the hours of direct care each resident recieves.
