The Cassellholme Board has approved a proposal to apply for 16 more beds as part of the present long term care home redevelopment.
The ongoing redevelopment plans have been to replace the existing 240 beds plus additional new beds for specialized care, according to City Councillor and Deputy Board Chair Chris Mayne.
See: Provincial parties unite to help Cassellholme redevelopment
"The new proposal, which will submitted separately from the redevelopment itself, would be to consider 16 new beds for a total of 264 beds if approved," Mayne told BayToday. "Our primary task at hand is to sign a redevelopment agreement with the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC) and we believe we are within weeks of doing that. We want to apply for the additional beds but not delay the present redevelopment process that has been ongoing for over six years.”
After a review by senior staff and the architect it was proposed that an additional 16 beds would be the most efficient use of any additional construction space within the current building design.
Support from the LHIN and Member Municipalities will also be needed with the new application.
"A large measure of our confidence with this additional proposal comes from a very constructive working relationship with Ministry staff that Cassellholme CEO Jamie Lowery has been able to establish with them and that a draft a proposal can be drawn up on fairly short notice as the submission deadline next Friday, March 2.
"The proposal was fully supported by the Cassellholme Board," added Mayne.
