Repairs at Hillsview Acres long term-care home will have to wait after proposals came back way over budget.

The province had approved $273,000 to update washrooms, stairs and entry doors at the municipally owned facility.

Region of Queens Mayor Darlene Norman says the bids came back at $475,000 and $678,000.

“The administrator knew what needed to be done so contacted some contractors and came up with estimates that led us to the $273,000 price,” said Norman. I guess what was failed to be recognized is that this isn’t the same as doing repairs on your home.”

Norman says the repairs to the long-term care home must meet similar standards to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.

While the Region of Queens has a reserve fund set aside for Hillsview Acres, Norman says it’s up to the province to cover operational costs.

A new long-term care home is planned to replace both Hillsview Acres and Queens Manor over the next few years.

Norman says when the new facility is built the municipality will need that reserve to cover costs until Hillsview Acres can be sold.

“Who knows if there’s no buyer for it? Who knows what the cost would be if it has to be demolished? Which I hope that it does not get there,” said Norman. “I hope there will be a useful use someone will have. But we can’t spend all of our Hillsview reserve money on items that need to be done according to department of health standards.”

Norman says the Region’s finance department is working directly with the provincial health department to come up with an appropriate estimate and secure the funding needed to complete the repairs.

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