It’s a small victory for mayor Kym Nichols of Carmangay who fought a long battle to keep the doors of the Little Bow Continuing Care Facility open after Alberta Health Services decided to shut it down.
Now, over a year later the building has some new tenants.
Employees of the Blackspring Ridge Wind Farm Project have signed rental agreements with AHS.
“Right now we have four people staying there, but what it does is offers them a closer spot to go from home to the project at the end of the long days and they are able to use it has housing, they’ve got heat,” says Project Manager Matthew Berry with Mortenson Construction.
AHS stated the building was too old, and did not meet codes and standards when the facility was closed.
Roughly 40 people were employed at the Little Bow Continuing Care Facility, and 18 residents called it home.
Seeing new faces coming and going is causing some mixed emotions.
“It’s kind of bitter sweet, because it proves it is still habitable and that the facility is ok, but it’s great to see somebody staying there,” says Nichols.
But AHS says the building has been inspected and approved for the current proposal because the building is no longer a health care facility, the codes and standards are different. The building is no longer operating as a 24-hour care facility for elderly residents with cognitive issues.
The community of Carmangay is still suffering. The mayor says that at least three families have already moved away or have listed their homes because they lost their’s. But with the possibility of new employment, it’s a sliver of hope for everyone.
“I’ve talked with Alberta Health Services and they are aware that we have staff that is available to do cleaning or cooking or whatever they need. Some of the girls that worked in the kitchen currently don’t have employment and so they would love to go back,” adds Nichols.
Mortenson Construction says they will do what they can to keep the facility operating in the community, even offering the use of the larger community room to the people of Carmangay.
On average there are about 350 workers on site for the wind project every day compared to the 273 people in the community.
The temporary agreement for housing with AHS runs until February.
Here is the full statement issued by Alberta Health Services.
In consultation and with the support of the mayor of Carmangay, Alberta Health Services (AHS) has leased a portion of the former Little Bow Continuing Care Centre to employees of the Black Spring Ridge Wind Farm Project. It is being used to provide accommodations for workers on this project which will benefit the community.
The current agreement for this temporary housing is from November 2013 through to February 2014. The project is short term. Employees are not local and have extended working hours. AHS was able to provide short-term accommodation. Closer accommodation is advantageous to the project and promotes safe working conditions.
The building has been inspected and approved for the current proposed use of temporary housing. As the building is no longer a health care facility, the codes and standards are different. The building is no longer operating as a 24-hour care facility for elderly residents with cognitive issues.
Lori Anderson
Interim Senior Vice President, Calgary Zone, AHS
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