EDMONTON — The Alberta government is cancelling a contract to build a continuing care facility in Fort McMurray to move the project to another location, one the municipality and seniors have been asking for all along.
The previous Progressive Conservative government had selected the Parsons Creek area for a 100-bed facility, over the objections of seniors who wanted it built in Willow Square in Fort McMurray’s downtown. Seniors said Parsons Creek, 20 minutes away from downtown, was too far from the services they need.
Sarah Hoffman, who is the minister for both health and seniors, said the change will ensure seniors get the best care possible.
“The people of Fort McMurray have been clear that they believe the Willow Square site will give seniors access to the supports and care they need,” said Hoffman. “And they are willing to share additional costs and take the time to adjust plans for the new location.”
The 2015 provincial budget included $50 million for a facility-based care centre in Fort McMurray. The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is contributing another $10 million.
Wood Buffalo Mayor Melissa Blake said her community is “thrilled” with the announcement.
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“Delivering a continuing care facility for our seniors at Willow Square is a top priority for our community.”
The government had already spent $11.2 million on work at the Parsons Creek site, including design costs. Utilities had been installed, and some prefabrication work, such as walls, had been done. Tim Wilson, a spokesman for the minister of health and seniors, said government will look to repurpose the site, re-use materials and potentially use the building design for another facility.
The government will also have to pay a fee to Ledcor Construction for cancelling the Parsons Creek contract. Wilson could not say how much that would be, but said the amount will be released once it has been finalized.
The change of location also means seniors will have to wait longer for a facility to be ready. The entire project will start over with fresh consultations with the community. Those consultations will begin next year, with construction expected to begin in 2018, and the facility to be completed sometime in 2020.
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Wildrose Leader Brian Jean, who represents Fort McMurray-Conklin, had been pressing the government since the spring to cancel the Parsons Creek contract in favour of the Willow Square site.
“I am delighted that the premier took the concerns of our community seriously,” said Jean. “Building an aging-in-place facility in the heart of Fort McMurray is the right decision.”
The PC government acquired the Willow Square property last fall, with plans to transfer it to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo for construction of affordable housing and seniors housing.
Wilson said continuing care is the current government’s priority for the site, but it will work with the municipality to develop other housing options if that is required.
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