The Pembina and Smithfield Lodges will get $1.49 million to bring their fire and safety systems up to a new provincial standard.
Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock MLA and former Westlock Foundation board member Maureen Kubinec announced the grant at the Pembina Lodge on Monday, Feb. 23, in front of residents and staff.
“This is a sign that we never leave safety to chance and that we have to do what’s right to keep the people who have contributed so much to our society in safe accommodations,” she said.
The money is part of $80 million set aside by the province for fire and safety refurbishments — Pembina Lodge gets $960,000 and Smithfield Lodge $530,000.
Despite the challenging budget outlook for the province, Kubinec reassured residents that their safety remains a high priority for the government.
“Even though we’re facing some tough economic times we can’t scrimp on safety,” she said.
The lodges are not unsafe, but need to be brought up to the current standard established after a fire at the L’Isle-Verte nursing home in Quebec in January 2014.
“There was a tragedy in Quebec about a year ago and we don’t want that to happen in Alberta,” Kubinec said.
Currently, the facilities are at the 2008 code but require upgrades following changes to the Safety Codes Act in 2014.
“I don’t think the current facilities are unsafe, they are just not to today’s standards,” said Jim Wiese chair of the Westlock Foundation. “In our facilities, our most vulnerable people are protected, but we are going to upgrade some of the other facilities.”
The money will be used to improve the fire sprinkler systems in parts of the lodge buildings as well as other fire safety upgrades.
Pembina Lodge resident Ed Czuj would like to see more done.
After Kubinec had finished her announcement Czuj took the time to raise other safety concerns with her, including the lack of an on-site generator in case of a power failure.
“It’s quite an undertaking but at least hook it up to the elevator system,” he said. “The people who are handicapped, they can’t come down the stairs, so it’s the only logical thing.”
Wiese acknowledged the concerns and expressed a desire to further improve safety at Pembina Lodge.
“There’s always more to do, but you’re also restricted by how much money you have to do things,” Wiese said. “The quality of care and the quality of our individuals is our main focus and you’re always looking at those things.”
