The province is moving forward with the construction of a new 143-bed personal care home in Steinbach to support those needing 24-hour supervision or nursing care.
“We remain committed to ensuring there are consistent, reliable services when and where people need them most,” said Premier Brian Pallister. “These new personal care homes will add to the province’s total number of personal care home beds, and ensure the residents of Steinbach and the surrounding communities can access the quality care they need.”
The new facility will feature clusters of single resident rooms with washrooms/showers that form a local neighbourhood of 11 to 12 rooms. Each cluster will include dining and activity spaces, as well as large, multi-purpose gathering spaces and small, private lounge areas. The facility will also include storage, offices, staff areas, maintenance, laundry and housekeeping service areas and exterior patios, walkways and parking.
Following a review completed in 2016, Southern Health-Santé Sud determined there was sufficient demand to support additional personal care home spaces in Steinbach. Population demographics also showed projected long-term growth for seniors living in or near the city.
“We know families in the area are eager to have this new facility in place to meet the housing and care needs of their loved ones,” said Jane Curtis, chief executive officer, Southern Health-Santé Sud. “With the long-term needs for personal care home capacity identified in our 2016 review, we look forward to working with the project partners and the Manitoba government to advance this important project as quickly as possible.”
The current Rest Haven personal care home in Steinbach has 60 beds and was built in 1984. The new facility will be constructed next to the existing building and the 86-suite Woodhaven Manor elderly persons housing building. The current building will be renovated to provide support space.
The regional health authority and HavenGroup developed the Steinbach project proposal. The province will provide capital funding, with the rest to be provided by HavenGroup.
“The approval to proceed with the construction of the expanded Rest Haven Nursing Home is a testimony to the partnership efforts of a collaborative community, Southern Health-Santé Sud and the Manitoba government,” said David Driedger, chief executive officer, HavenGroup. “This project will address the long-standing and growing needs of the community for individuals requiring additional services, in a setting of person-centred care that residents will know as ‘home’.”
Construction of the new facility supports the provincial government’s commitment to increase the number of personal care home beds by 1,200 in Manitoba by 2025, said Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen.
“Senior citizens represent a growing segment of the population. Adding personal care home beds in growing communities serves our seniors by providing appropriate, focused care,” said Friesen. “I want to congratulate HavenGroup and the Bethesda Foundation for partnering with our government on this worthwhile project.”
Project costs are not being released at this time to ensure the tendering process is not affected, Friesen added.
