Seniors community still on track at hospital site
Seasons’ Phase 1 plan is for a 140-suite retirement residence
A large community planned for the former Ontario Street hospital site in St. Catharines is still in the design phase, but the company behind it says it intends to begin construction this year.
Seasons Retirement Communities, which announced plans for developing the four-hectare site in February 2016, said the project is moving forward as anticipated.
But it has had to manage some unexpected issues along the way, including those related to soil stabilization — the process of making the ground strong enough to carry the load of the building. That work has been completed.
“Things are progressing,” said Seasons Retirement spokeswoman Amanda White on Tuesday. “We are excited, but there have been delays that have kept us from being able to set a firm construction date at this time.”
While there is no conclusive start date, the company said its intention is to begin construction in 2018.
White said the retirement community will provide care options from independent living to assisted living, including memory care for seniors living with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
The company is planning for Phase 1 to be a 140-suite retirement residence. Phase 2 will consist of a 30 suite senior’s apartment building which will be connected to the retirement residence.
Future phases are still to be planned.
Once the company’s leasing office is open, Seasons will be able to provide pricing, information about services and occupancy dates. White said that typically happens once buildings have occupancy status. No timeline has been set yet for the opening.
The former Niagara Health System Ontario Street site — the old Hotel Dieu hospital — was closed in March 2013 when the new St. Catharines hospital on Fourth Avenue opened.
Demolition of the hospital at 155 Ontario St. began in 2016 and is completed. The property is near Montebello Park in downtown St. Catharines and backs onto Twelve Mile Creek.
The city said the owners submitted a site plan application for the first phase of development last April with re-submissions made in July and October.
Seasons Retirement Communities was established in 2009 and operates 11 retirement residences in Ontario, including one in Welland. There are another nine in Alberta and others in various stages of development.
“We’re really excited about joining the St. Catharines community,” White said. “We really appreciate how we have already been welcomed and the interest that we’ve had from the community. We really are looking forward to being able to serve the seniors of St. Catharines.”