Today, the County of Simcoe broke ground on the Simcoe Village Campus Redevelopment project in Beeton.
Among those in attendance were County Warden George Cornell, New Tecumseth Mayor Rick Milne, Deputy Mayor Richard Norcross, Clearview Mayor Doug Measures, and numerous other councillors from surrounding townships.
The project is expected to provide 160 long-term care beds and more than 180 seniors housing units and homes. Currently, Simcoe Manor operates with 126 long-term care beds.
“The people who serve our residents and family councils are true rockstars,” said Jane Sinclair, general manager of health and emergency services, County of Simcoe. “This has been a long time coming and I know that our residents and future residents will appreciate the state-of-the-art campus. The new Simcoe Village Campus will allow seniors to age in place while they receive supports and services geared directly to them and their changing needs.”
With an estimated total cost of $177 million, the redeveloped Simcoe Village Campus will replicate the provincially recognized and awarded Georgian Village Campus model, which was opened by the County of Simcoe in 2013 in the Town of Penetanguishene. The Simcoe Village Campus is anticipated to open in the 2024/2025 timeframe.
“From our work at Georgian Village, we know that the campus model is extremely successful,” said Sinclair. “I’m so thrilled for our staff working at Simcoe Manor, our residents, their families, and future Simcoe Village Campus residents who will benefit from this important undertaking for generations to come.”
Simcoe Manor is the oldest of four long-term care and senior service facilities owned and operated by the county. Originally constructed in 1898, Simcoe Manor has undergone three redevelopments with the most recent occurring in 1992.
“The new Simcoe Village Campus will make the site the largest long-term care and senior services campus that the County of Simcoe owns,” said Sinclair. “A lot of people have been working very hard to get to this point. This campus will provide more supports for those who place their trust in us as they move forward into various stages of life. It will be a place filled with people they know and trust. Friendships and camaraderie will be formed as a sense of community takes hold.”
Simcoe-Grey MP Terry Dowdall wasn’t able to attend the event and had a representative share his words on the redevelopment.
“As former deputy warden of Simcoe County, Terry says he’s particularly excited to see the county take such a key role to help the project move along,” said representative Robert Morales. “With the aging population in Canada, and right here in Simcoe-Grey, projects like this are key to ensure that seniors can remain in their region close to their family and friends while also getting the specific type of care they need.”
The range of housing aligns with the innovative continuum of living and care approach, allowing residents to live on one campus as their care needs evolve and change.
“Seniors have faced a tough couple of years with COVID-19 having had a heavy impact on seniors who like to socialize and appreciate seeing their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren,” said Morales. “Terry says that one of his top priorities in Ottawa since day one has been to fight for seniors, that fight continues as we speak as we see the rise of cost of living and also with inflation. Seniors need more support; they need options like with the Simcoe Village Campus Redevelopment project so that they can enjoy the golden years with their dignity. It’s really the future of long-term care.”
The 20.6-acre property, which is adjacent to the current Simcoe Manor Facility in Beeton, was purchased in April 2020 with plans to develop a nearly 500,000 square-foot campus, including a wide range of amenities geared toward seniors in the community.
“When this project first came to county council a few years ago, our council recognized the growing need in our southern communities and made a significant commitment to make this campus a reality,” said Cornell. “We knew that Simcoe County, nearby municipalities, and the village of Beeton would be proud to say they’re home to this innovative campus. With an aging population and heightened focus on long-term care and seniors services, County Council is committed to ensuring we have the very best care and living opportunities for our seniors and those in need. We thank the province for their support and the Township of New Tecumseth for working with us to redevelop Simcoe Manor right next to where the home has resided for over 120 years in Beeton.”
Without James Heaton Cooper, who left over $800,000 to Simcoe Manor when he died in 2010, the project would not be possible.
“He was a quiet man who was involved in the united church, loved travel, fishing, and the outdoors,” said Cornell. “When Simcoe Village Campus opens in a few years, county staff will be asked to ensure that the community remembers who he was and what he stood for through a naming opportunity at the campus. This campus will become a cornerstone in New Tecumseth and Beeton thanks to the generosity of donors like Mr. Cooper.”
Along with the expansion of long-term care beds, the Simcoe Village Campus will offer different types of living spaces such as life lease apartment suites, market rental apartments, retirement living, life lease garden homes, rental townhomes, affordable housing, supportive housing, and co-housing rentals.
“People are taken care of and given necessary shelter and the respect that they deserve as our elders,” said Milne. “If the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that we must work together in order to protect our most vulnerable residents. We simply must.”
The campus will provide additional long-term care beds, supporting seniors housing units and programs, and an expanded continuum of care and living options. The services to be offered at the new Simcoe Village Campus are expected to include health/medical services, pharmacy, dental, dining, retail, salon, exercise area, and outdoor recreational options.
“Our government has a plan to fix long-term care and a key part of that plan is building modern, safe, and comfortable homes for our seniors,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Long-Term Care. “When the new building for Simcoe Manor home is completed at Simcoe Village Campus in Beeton, 160 residents will have a new place to call home, near family and friends.”
