SD&G – Administration with an SD&G long term care home have asked the county for $3 million toward building a new Dundas Manor.
The request would be part of the $10 million to be raised locally for the $31 million building.
Winchester District Memorial Hospital CEO Cholly Boland and Dundas Manor board chairman Bill Smirle made a presentation to county council Monday morning.
In addition, the manor is asking for $300,000 annually for operating costs.
The Ontario PC government has talked about hallway health care. “We actually have hallway dining,” Boland said, describing the building which started at 60 beds in 1976 and has expanded to 98 beds.
Based on today’s specs, Boland said the building, which serves the north and west portion of SD&G, should be about twice the size it is now.
He says MPP Jim McDonell has indicated that an announcement about the Ontario government’s $21 million share should be “any day now.”
The new building would be built on the same property in Winchester on the northeast corner of Clarence Street and Louise Street, next to WDMH.
Coun. Allan Armstrong (North Dundas), whose mother finished her life at Dundas Manor, agreed with a new building, saying the current conditions could be described as “deplorable” and “certainly not dignified.”
Coun. Steven Byvelds (South Dundas) says he recently toured the long term care home and was impressed with how the staff have coped with their current conditions but “people shouldn’t have to live like that.” Roughly 78 per cent of the residents come from South Dundas.
The $3 million ask and $300,000 annual operation request will be referred to the 2020 county budget.