May is slated as the tentative move out date for residents of Parkland Manor but the future of the soon to be vacated facility remains uncertain.
Contrary to an opinion which seems to be popular at the moment, Rimoka CEO Peter Hall said restoring the manor as a residence for seniors in need of long-term care is not a feasible option.
Hall noted that there are many deficiencies in the current building that would be costly to repair.
“The roof is not high enough and it would be next to impossible to meet (today’s) building standards, he said.
Overall, the building does not meet building codes and it would be expensive to bring it up to code, he said.
“The existing lodge was simply not good enough for the (current) residents and now we have Valley View Manor, a new seniors lodge that is bigger than Parkland Manor and it will provide more than enough space for Rimbey and area in the long term.”
Hall noted that all 58 seniors now living in Parkland Manor will be moved to Valley View Manor. There is also a waiting list of ? residents.
Hall said the Rimoka Housing Board has sent a letter to Minister Lori Sigurdson of Alberta Seniors and Housing suggesting Parkland Manor be demolished and the land be repurposed.
He said Rimoka would like to see senior housing built on the site similar to Legacy Place in Ponoka which is comprised of ‘life-lease condos.
“It has 51 suites and is fully utilized with a waiting list of 128 people,” he said. “The board believes something like that in Rimbey would work very well.”
The location of Parkland Manor would be a great spot for such a complex, he said.
The Rimoka Housing Board has made the suggestion, but Hall noted that the final decision is up to the provincial government.
“We do not own the building,” he said.
Hall added that the government might decide to repurpose the building, sell it or demolish it.
“In the end it’s their decision.”
He added that Alberta Seniors and Housing has been very supportive of the new lodge.
“The proof will be in the pudding.”
Hall is hoping for a May moving date to Valley View Manor.