Smoky Lake home offers seniors flexibility

EDMONTON The new Bar-V-Nook Manor officially opened its doors in Smoky Lake Friday.

The home’s 60 large units offer more flexibility for seniors in the level of care they can access, allowing them to remain close to their families and communities. It replaces the old manor, which could only house 48 people.

The provincial and federal governments kicked in $23 million for the redevelopment project, which is part of the National Housing Strategy — a 10-year, $40-billion plan to create 100,000 new housing units, lift 530,000 families out of housing need, and repair more than 300,000 other housing units. It also aims to cut chronic homelessness by half. Federal Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi said the new manor will improve the well-being and sense of security for seniors in the region.

VOLUNTEER AWARDS

Alberta’s most exceptional volunteers will be honoured at a ceremony Monday at the Federal Building in Edmonton, where they will receive the Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers.

The medal is the highest award for volunteers presented in Canada. It recognizes exceptional volunteer achievements in a wide range of fields and pays tribute to their dedication and commitment.

Thirty-one Albertans will receive the honour Monday, including 13 from in and around Edmonton including Victoria Carter, Jason Finkbeiner, Azeem Iftikhar, Philip Koning, Erwin Loewen, Lorne Edward Parker, Evert Poor, Augusto Ribeiro, Solomon Rolingher, William Shaver, Alan Skoreyko, Sofia Yaqub and Monica Zeniuk.

YOUTH MEET FOR MINISTER’S COUNCIL

Education Minister David Eggen will meet face-to-face with 32 Albertan students over the weekend in Edmonton for the 2018-19 Minister’s Youth Council.

It’s the first of three meetings for the council.