New seniors housing project officially under construction
By Mona Mattei
Dignitaries and local residents gathered to celebrate the ground breaking at Grand Forks’ newest seniors housing development, Silver Kettle Village, on Tuesday.
Boundary-Similkameen MLA John Slater was joined by Grand Forks Mayor Brian Taylor, Golden Life Management’s CEO Endre Lillejord and Interior Health Authority (IHA) representatives in the ceremonial ground breaking for the residential care facility to be located on 72 Avenue just southwest of the Grand Forks Curling club facilities.
“The province is committed to meeting the needs of seniors and I’m thrilled to be in Grand Forks to take part in this event,” said MLA John Slater on behalf of Minister of Health Mike de Jong. “This is great news for B.C. and its going to be great for the area as well. So congratulations to everybody that’s been involved.”
Grand Forks MayorTaylor said he’s toured other facilities operated by Golden Life Management and has been impressed with their quality of care provided in the homes. With this new development in Grand Forks Taylor said there will be an economic benefit from the jobs that adds to the increased options for seniors in the region.
“I think this is turning a corner for Grand Forks in terms of looking at the senior population,” Taylor commented. “Our city has gone a long distance in making it friendly to seniors and this is the first opportunity that we’ve had to see that pay off in terms of an expansion of services. This is a senior’s paradise I think that in future we’re going to see a lot more seniors moving to this community.”
The provincial government’s plan to increase 500 residential care beds within the IHA’s region represents a $31 million investment into seniors care. The Silver Kettle Village will have 40 complex care residential beds along with offering 48 independent living suites and two private pay assisted living suites.
The village plans to open in September of 2012. Interior Health has partnered with Golden Life Management in the past to build assisted and residential care villages in Trail, Castlegar, Nelson, Fruitvale, Creston, Kimberley, Cranbrook, Invermere and Fernie.
“Golden Life’s staff are absolutely committed to seniors, making sure that, in each site and each village, all seniors feel that it is their home,” said Glen Sutherland, IHA board member. “It’s going to touch the lives of staff, families, the residents, the community and we’re grateful for that.”
Community members who are interested in more information can attend Golden Life’s open house on Thursday, Dec. 15 at the Grand Forks Seniors Hall in City Park at 5 p.m.
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