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The Town of Cornwall has approved selling almost two hectares of the Terry Fox Sports Complex to build the town’s first long-term care home for seniors.
It will be located in an empty field near the highway. The contract has been awarded to The Mount Continuing Care Community, which will purchase the property for approximately $490,000, with the sale scheduled to close in October.
Cornwall Mayor Minerva McCourt said planning for this development has been underway for a long time.
“Not only does it include what we’ve always talked about in the Town of Cornwall, us being inclusive, it’s real action to be inclusive,” she said about the plan.
Earlier this year in June, the provincial government announced a new 80-bed long-term care facility will be built in Cornwall, set to open in 2029.
Once the home opens, the province will provide up to $9.8 million a year to help lower accommodation costs for residents.
The government is also supporting the construction and operation of the facility through a 30-year agreement to cover residents’ medical costs and housing assistance.
Coun. Corey Frizzell said he was told the facility will create about 150 full-time jobs.
The complex is behind Elliot River Elementary School, and the empty field is currently used as a makeshift soccer field by youth clubs in the summer, before becoming a place to skate in the winter.
Frizzell said the developer is working to preserve an area where kids are still able to play nearby.
“The developer has been working with the town and has given the town assurance that that soccer pitch will actually be upgraded and reinstated once this facility is built,” he said. “It will be a place where young athletes will be out playing soccer and seniors in the long-term care facility will actually be able to see them playing.”
“This developer was very cognizant of that,” McCourt said. “And that was one of his main reasons [that] he wished to have this development where the people could be engaged.”
McCourt also said that having the facility near the elementary school will benefit both seniors and youth.
Frizzell said the property also has paved walking trails, which will allow seniors using mobility aids like walkers and wheelchairs to navigate them.
Both McCourt and Frizzell said they are pleased this development is happening for the town.
“It’s a huge win for the municipality, for the community, [and for] surrounding communities. It will allow seniors to age in place, in Cornwall,” Frizzell said.
The Mount Continuing Care Community has said it hopes to break ground this fall.