A multi-million dollar development project is in progress at Sarnia's Trillium Villa site.
The city issued a $35 million building permit to Steeves and Rozema in July, for a three-storey long-term care facility on Michigan Avenue.
Vice President of Long-Term Care with S&R Nursing Homes Kim Van Dam said the existing building will be demolished once the new build is completed, resulting in minimal impact to the existing residents.
"We own the whole property in behind the field, it's kind of landlocked by the neighbourhood by part of Wiltshire Plaza, by the Trinity Anglican Church and Alexander Mackenzie school," said Van Dam. "There's this big landlocked field, that's where it's going, right to the back there."
Trillium Villa was built in 1970 with a 73 bed occupancy. The Michigan Avenue home underwent additions in 1972 and 1995.
"It is certainly going to be a state-of-the-art facility designed really, to improve the quality of life for the residents that call Trillium Villa their home with so much more space and beautiful finishes, just a brand new home. It's going to be a really exciting thing," said Van Dam.
The early stages of construction are underway, and it's hoped the new facility will be completed in early 2026.
Van Dam said the new home will provide an additional eight long-term care beds, bringing the total capacity to 160.
"So it will be five home areas, self-contained home areas of 32 residents in each neighbourhood, which is the new design standard for long-term care buildings."
Van Dam said she is very happy to see the upgrade and redevelopment project finally coming to fruition.
"I think COVID put a lot of brakes on a lot of projects, so we're really thrilled to be able to be at this point. It's been a long time coming," she said.
A ground breaking ceremony for the project is in the works.