A Burnaby seniors’ complex is constructing a new care home that will be ready in 2019, and the non-profit society that runs it is looking for donors to help fund the project.
New Vista Society is building a new 240-bed, seven storey building in a plot of land next to its current building, which is roughly 40 years old.
“That’s about the lifespan of a care home. It’s got solid bones, but it’s time for it to be replaced,” said Darin Froese, New Vista’s chief executive officer. “It doesn’t meet modern design standards.”
Froese said the new building will have a better fire system (the current one does not have sprinklers), larger hallways and smaller “villages,” or gathering areas, to help with infection control.
There will be no real increase in beds, as the old care home has 236, but there will be four new private-pay beds for seniors who need temporary care.
The Fraser Health Authority, however, is raising the per diem, per capita funding from $150 to $200 for the new building. That translates to roughly half-an-hour of more daily care per resident.
New Vista is throwing in a plot of land worth $12 million and $3 million in cash, but the society is also looking for donors, as the project comes with a $58-million price tag.
“(We’re working) to build partnerships with philanthropists that want to buy into the vision of seniors care in the community,” Froese said.
Froese said the society is also in talks with the Korean community to make culturally sensitive improvements, like having Korean menu items and cultural events.
“We’re working on a partnership with a major partner in the Korean-Canadian community,” Froese said. “If we look at who’s housed in our affordable seniors housing community and care home, we already have 25 to 30 per cent Korean. This would just formalize the partnership.”
Construction for the new care home will start in 2017, and it should be ready for residents by 2019.
To get involved as a donor, visit www.newvista.bc.ca or call 604-521-7764
