Repairs at Hillsview Acres long term-care home will have to wait after proposals came back way over budget.<\/p>\n
The province had approved $273,000 to update washrooms, stairs and entry doors at the municipally owned facility.<\/p>\n
Region of Queens Mayor Darlene Norman says the bids came back at $475,000 and $678,000.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe administrator knew what needed to be done so contacted some contractors and came up with estimates that led us to the $273,000 price,\u201d said Norman. I guess what was failed to be recognized is that this isn\u2019t the same as doing repairs on your home.\u201d<\/p>\n
Norman says the repairs to the long-term care home must meet similar standards to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.<\/p>\n
While the Region of Queens has a reserve fund set aside for Hillsview Acres, Norman says it\u2019s up to the province to cover operational costs.<\/p>\n
A new long-term care home is planned to replace both Hillsview Acres and Queens Manor over the next few years.<\/p>\n
Norman says when the new facility is built the municipality will need that reserve to cover costs until Hillsview Acres can be sold.<\/p>\n
\u201cWho knows if there\u2019s 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,\u201d said Norman. \u201cI hope there will be a useful use someone will have. But we can\u2019t spend all of our Hillsview reserve money on items that need to be done according to department of health standards.\u201d<\/p>\n
Norman says the Region\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n