(Matt Ryan/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By meadowlakeNOW Staff

New home

NorthWest Community Lodge holds grand opening in Meadow Lake

Aug 25, 2022 | 3:53 PM

The grand opening was held Thursday afternoon for the NorthWest Community Lodge in Meadow Lake.

A replacement for the Northland Pioneer Lodge, the facility welcomed in residents earlier this month and will accommodate up 72 once fully operational, compared to 53 beds in the Pioneer Lodge.

A request to attract qualified employees was put out earlier this year, which has continued since as the staff is rounded out.

Several dignitaries were on hand, including Everett Hindley, the Minister for Mental Health and Addictions, as well as Seniors and Rural and Remote Health. In a media release, he noted this new home is the last of 13 new or renovated long term care (LTC) homes since 2009.

“I thank the residents and their families for their patience, as well as MLA Jeremy Harrison for his work advocating for this important project, the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA), municipal partners, and the design and construction teams for their efforts to make today a reality,” Hindley said.

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The new lodge is designed to have a more home-like feel, with individual rooms and relaxing common spaces sporting plenty of natural light. It consists of six houses, each with their own living room and dining space.

The Northland Pioneer Lodge had been in service since 1955 and was falling behind living standards and safety codes.

Andrew McLetchie, VP of Integrated Northern Health, spoke for the SHA in welcoming new residents to the home.

“This project has increased the number of residents we can care for as well as give them a home they can relax in,” McLetchie said. “The Lodge is truly a home created by Saskatchewan for Saskatchewan, not only in its design, but also through the financial support and commitment from the NorthWest Community Lodge Association and its supporters.”

“We are very excited to see this day become a reality,” vice chair of NorthWest Community Lodge Association, Crystal Murray, added, thanking local donors.

MLA Harrison expressed happiness in seeing local residents benefit from the replacement of an aging LTC home.

“The seniors in this community, and throughout the province, deserve safe and comfortable spaces to live,” Harrison said in the release. “The residents of Meadow Lake and area should be commended for their efforts and contributions to see this project through to completion.”

The provincial government provided $30.5 million for the $38-million capital project. Local funding covered the remainder of the cost.

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