Elgin Lodge Retirement Living in Port Elgin is working to address a flooding incident that forced the evacuation of its residents and led to a temporary shutdown of critical building services on March 20.
Staff discovered a significant flood in the basement of the facility, which houses essential mechanical equipment. While the cause of the flooding has not yet been confirmed, Sales and Marketing Director Ann-Marie Collins suspects that a burst pipe is responsible.
"We had no choice but to evacuate. The residents’ well-being is our number one priority," said Collins. "We’re still trying to pinpoint where the water is coming from and how we can fix the problem."
The flooding severely impacted vital services in the building, including heating, phone lines, internet, and cable services. Water and natural gas services were also shut down as staff worked to assess the damage. As a result, the lodge had to initiate evacuation procedures to ensure the safety and well-being of its residents.
By the afternoon of March 20, all residents were relocated to Port Elgin United Church, with some being sent to stay with family members in the area. Residents were provided with meals, warm spaces, and access to essential amenities at the church before being moved to local hotels.
According to Collins, the response from the local community has been nothing short of overwhelming. Many companies from Bruce County and beyond have lent their support in various ways to assist in the ongoing efforts.
"The community has been amazing. Everyone—from the bus company to the hotel staff, the trades, and the church members—has come together to help our residents. It has been truly heartwarming," said Collins.
Collins mentioned that the residents are expected to stay in their temporary accommodations for several days as repair crews continue to assess the damage. Though there is no clear timeline for when the building will be fully operational again, Collins is hopeful that the repairs will be completed swiftly so that residents can return to their homes as soon as possible.
"We just don’t know yet how long this will take. We’re in the exploratory stages, and the situation is still evolving,” Collins said. “We’re doing everything we can to get things back to normal."
Thankfully, no residents’ belongings were damaged, as the flooding was confined to the basement area where the building’s mechanical systems are located.