Ontario Construction News staff writer
Construction is underway on long-term care homes in Belle River and Leamington, with a total of 320 new and upgraded long-term care beds to Essex County. This is part of the Ontario government’s $6.4 billion plan to build more than 30,000 new beds by 2028 and 28,000 upgraded long-term care beds across the province.
“Congratulations to the whole team involved in the ground-breaking of these two upgraded and modernized homes,” said Paul Calandra, minister of long term care. “Today marks a significant milestone.
“When building is completed, 320 residents will have a new place to call home, near their family and friends.”
The new home in Belle River will replace Tilbury Manor Nursing Home and will provide 85 new and 75 upgraded beds in private and basic rooms. The 160-bed home will serve surrounding communities and is expected to be completed in fall 2025.
The new home in Leamington will replace Franklin Gardens Long Term Care Home with 40 new and 120 upgraded beds. Construction on the 160-bed home is expected to be completed in summer 2026.
Both sites will feature design improvements, including secure outdoor spaces for residents, larger resident common areas and air conditioning throughout the home. The design is centred around ‘resident home areas’ to create more intimate and familiar living spaces for up to 32 residents, with dining and activity areas, lounges and bedrooms.
“This announcement marks a significant stride forward in our pursuit of dignified and compassionate care for our seniors,” Trevor Jones, MPP for Chatham-Kent—Leamington, said in a statement. “The redevelopment of these new homes exemplifies our unwavering dedication to building warm, welcoming, safe homes for our seniors.”
In addition, the provincial government is supporting five other projects in Essex County, including development of long-term care homes in Essex, Tecumseh and Windsor. Together, seven projects will provide 361 new and 759 upgraded long-term care beds, for a total of 1,120 beds built to modern design standards.
As of April 2023, more than 40,000 people were on the waitlist to access a long-term care bed in Ontario. The median wait time is 123 days for applicants to be placed in long-term care.
“The new facility in Belle River will be state-of-the-art, offer private rooms, and have 160 beds. That’s twice as many beds as the facility it is replacing,” said Essex MPP Anthony Leardi. “That means the people of Tilbury and Belle River will have twice as many beds in a new state-of-the-art facility.
“I want to thank the Minister of Long-Term Care for ensuring that people in Essex County receive access to the quality long-term care they deserve, in a safe, home-like environment, when and where they need it.”