Much-needed Macleod seniors’ facility opens
The Willow Creek Foundation hosted the grand opening of the new Pioneer Lodge seniors’ residence on Thursday in Fort Macleod. The spacious, comfortable, ultra-modern facility cost roughly $10 million to construct and is a much-needed replacement for the former Pioneer Lodge.
“Our old facility was just not up to snuff to serve our needs anymore, and we had considered renovating it,” said Foundation board chair Maryanne Sandberg. “Each room in that old facility did not have its own individual bathroom. They only had a sink and a toilet and they had to share shower/bathing facilities. And for people in wheelchairs there wasn’t hardly any room to move in there, it was so tight. The hallways were so narrow wheelchairs couldn’t even pass each other. That (renovation) was what we were seeking when this announcement came that were going to actually have an entirely new lodge instead.”
The event on Thursday included speeches by various dignitaries associated with the project, a formal plaque unveiling marking the occasion of the grand opening, and a ribboncutting ceremony conducted by Lodge residents Raymond Chester and Glenna Moorey.
Fort Macleod Mayor Brent Feyter praised the provincial government and Willow Creek Foundation board for making the new facility a reality.
“I would say this is probably the largest investment of this size for community housing in the town’s history,” stated Feyter. “It’s an amazing step for the community. It’s a great facility, 40 units, and it is going to help us for the future to help keep our local families together more.”
Calgary-Shaw MLA Graham Sucha made the drive to Fort Macleod to represent Alberta Seniors and Housing Minister Lori Sigurdson at the grand opening. Sucha said the construction of the new lodge put an exclamation mark on his government’s commitment to seniors and rural communities.
“We see that throughout rural Alberta; that the seniors’ populations are quite high, and we need to make sure we are providing the right services for the seniors throughout our province, including in our rural communities.”
For chairwoman Sandberg the months of work by her board members has paid off with a facility all Fort Macleod and district residents can be proud of.
“It has been absolutely worth it. It’s unbelievable and we are so grateful for the funding we received to build it. It is so necessary to the community today, and will hopefully serve the needs of the community for many years to come.”