When a new seniors assisted living facility under construction in Okotoks’ northwest opens next year it will be able to accommodate more residents than first thought.
The facility, being built by the Brenda Stafford Foundation along Sandstone Drive, will have a total of 152 beds up from the 120 beds initially planned.
Foundation CEO Mario Siciliano said the society is still determining how the extra beds will be designated. He said they may be included in the pool of affordable beds or set aside as private beds. The society will have a better idea on how the beds will be allocated by the fall.
“We certainly know the demand is there for affordable assisted living, there’s no question the entire building could be filled with affordable assisted living,” he said.
Construction on the facility, named Tudor Manor, started in late 2010 and Siciliano said the building will be finished by February 2012 at the earliest.
The society received $7.4 million from the provincial government to go towards building 100 affordable supportive living rooms. The grant will cover up to half the cost to build the 100 rooms.
Siciliano declined to say how much the building will cost to build, but he said construction costs have risen and the grant will not cover as much of the final bill as was expected.
Having privately owned units may be a good way to help offset construction costs, said Siciliano.
The building is being constructed to handle the full spectrum of needs for its residents, from those who are fully independent to those who need a lot of support and assistance. Services provided for residents will include housekeeping, laundry, meals, social programs and connections to other health resources as needed.
Siciliano said there will be 26 secure living units for people with dementia, which will all be included in the 100 rooms funded by the provincial grant.
Regardless of how the building is classified, he said it would turn to more of a long-term care facility as its residents age.
The society is keeping a list of people interested in a room in the facility. For more information or to register call Ruth at 403-444-7222.
