The offer is only conditional so far, but a company that provides long-term care residency for seniors wants to build on the site of the former St. Bernard Catholic Elementary School in Amherstburg.
Right now, the Town of Amherstburg owns it after buying it from the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board a year ago for $550,000. Originally, the town considered turning it into a community centre.
CAO John Miceli told BlackburnNews.com it would be a $30- to $40-million investment if the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care signs off on it and removes the conditions.
"It's all based on the province and how they award their beds," he said. "As quickly as that happens, as quickly as they remove conditions, then as quickly as then they'll start to build."
The project would have in the range of 128- to 160 beds and employ 80 full-time workers, but the economic spinoff could create another 205 jobs in the community.
Miceli said there is a demand for long-term care in Amherstburg. There are 85 people on a waiting list right now.
"Anyone that is looking to go into a long-term care facility; they do have a choice," said Miceli. "I think it would open up a lot more for people in Windsor-Essex and Amherstburg to come and use the long-term care facility in Amherstburg."
