Lakeridge Health yesterday celebrated the opening of Lakeridge Gardens, Durham Region’s newest long-term care home.
Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance and MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge, and John Henry, Durham Regional Chair, joined leaders from Lakeridge Health and Lakeridge Gardens to mark this important milestone.
“On behalf of the entire Lakeridge Health team, I am honoured to welcome 320 future residents, more than 500 team members, and countless volunteers, families, and visitors to Lakeridge Gardens,” said Sharon Cochran, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Lakeridge Health. “Thousands of individuals from across the region came together to make this home a reality. Thanks to their collaboration and dedication, seniors across Durham Region will have access to high-quality long-term care services closer to home. I am confident our vision of One System. Best Health. will be felt by the residents who will call Lakeridge Gardens their home and by the families who will make memories in this building for years to come.”
The home was designed and built with evidence-informed infection prevention and control measures. Lakeridge Gardens’ features include outdoor spaces on each floor, a specialized behavioural unit with access to a secure rooftop terrace, private and semi-private rooms, a hair salon and spas, and multiple bright and sunny gathering areas for families to connect with their loved ones. The home also houses a nine-station dialysis unit, thanks to funding from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Long-Term Care, and the Ontario Renal Network. This unit will mean an increased quality of life for residents who will be able to access treatment in the comfort of their home; and it will also be available to those in the community who require dialysis services, said a Lakeridge Health statement.
Today, we celebrated the official opening of the new Lakeridge Gardens LTC Home with our partners, @_donmitchell @PBethlenfalvy @JohnHenryDurham @yourvoice4ajax @lornecoe @PCLConstruction @InfraOntario
Read more https://t.co/remC60mSaH pic.twitter.com/G0Q0tCHE7L— Lakeridge Health (@LakeridgeHealth) March 25, 2022
Lakeridge Gardens was first announced in July 2020 as part of the Ministry of Long-Term Care’s Accelerated Build Pilot Program, in partnership with Infrastructure Ontario. PCL Construction broke ground on the home in January 2021 and, after 13 months of rapid progress, major construction on the home was finalized in February 2022. The home will formally begin to welcome residents and families during the first move-in day scheduled for March 29.
In addition to celebrating the home’s opening, UA Local 46, Plumbers Steamfitters and Welders, in partnership with PCL Construction, presented a $60,000 donation to Lakeridge Gardens. This donation will enhance special touches to make the building feel like home, such as artwork that exudes colour, friendly images, and bright and flowery murals that will bring the outside to the inside for those residents who find it difficult to leave the home, as well as decorations that will encourage residents to enjoy the different seasons and celebrate in cheerful surroundings.
Beverly Rogers, a Durham Region resident, was also acknowledged at the event for her generous $10,000 donation in support of the home’s hair salon.