Wildrose Villa Boyle is getting a makeover that is due for completion in 2016.
The villa will receive 32 brand new units, while a renovation of the old 40 units will create 20 renovated units.
In June of last year, then-premier Allison Redford traveled to Boyle to announce the construction of the new units and a renovation of the old structure.
“There was a group of citizens in the Boyle area called the Boyle Campus of Continuing Care,” said Greater North Foundation chief administrative officer Shirley Surgenor.
“They really worked with the government and worked really hard to get something for their area.”
Greater North was established in 1984 and is responsible for several seniors lodges in the area.
They are working with the Alberta government on the expansion.
The overall cost of the project is nearly $11 million with $8.8 million coming from the federal and provincial governments through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, and Alberta Municipal Affairs.
In addition to the joint funding, Alberta Health is providing $2.2 million through the Affordable Supportive Living Initiative (ASLI).
Alberta Health Services will be providing the care component, according the Surgenor.
“We will have 22 designated assisted-living (DAL) units that range from level three through 4D,” she said.
“Level three requires less work that 4D. It is basically long-term care. They are assessed and services are provided.”
Once the new building is built, the current residents will be moved into it.
Then the old part of the building will be completely renovated.
“It is getting a major retrofit. Everything in the interior is going to change,” she said.
“Those will be the 22 DAL units. It will also include a small dementia wing.”
The new section of the building will be two stories and will include 36 units.
“They have been working on the drawings for several months now. There have been many meetings between Alberta Health and us,” she explained.
“We are trying to come up with a design.”
There will be a connecting piece between the new and old sections of the building.
“There is going to be a hair salon. It is not just useless space,” she said.
The way the project is being scheduled, Surgenor said there should be minimal disruption to existing residents.
“We want the least disruption to the residents as possible,” she said.
“They are going to be building the new kitchen, so there will be very little disruption. The new kitchen will be built while the existing one is still in operation. I think everyone is pretty excited about it.”
The date for when work will begin wasn’t immediately known.
