Simon Fraser Lodge to Build New Rooms

Tuesday, October 20, 2009 03:50 AM

Prince George, B,.C.- Simon Fraser Lodge has been granted a development variance to allow it to cover 48% of the lot which is up from the current 40%. The variance will also allow for setbacks from the property lines to be reduced.

The variance is the first step in building some new areas on to Simon Fraser Lodge as the facility changes it’s service model to a semi-private - private room facility.

Simon Fraser Lodge has been offering care to up to 4 persons per room but in a letter to he City, it is outlined that this level of service is no longer approved by the Province or nationally. While the number of available beds will be reduced to 124 from the current 136, Simon Fraser Lodge operators say its special clients will be better served with a move to double or single occupancy rooms.

The area to be used for the construction will include some of the central courtyard at the 10th Avenue and Laurier Crescent facility.

Councilor Shari Green wanted to know what parking requirements would be made for construction crews "The neighbours in that area are concerned as that area is already facing challenges about parking as Northern Health's lot is a pay lot." City staff were not able to answer where construction crews might park.

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Posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2009 03:50 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: CaringSoul on October 20 2009 8:21 AM

YES, move away from 4 bed rooms and renovate, spending millions in order to have less rooms in the end. WTF! We dont have enough beds as it is and this is the solution? Every day I am amazed even more by the sheer stupidity in this city.

Posted by: caranmacil on October 20 2009 8:39 AM

Four bed rooms SUCK. It isnt a case of stuffing people in, it is an improvement of services. With the new facility coming online there is not, at present a shortage of beds. In the future, more facilities will be needed, not more crowded beds.

Posted by: He spoke on October 20 2009 9:06 AM

ah, read the article. They want to improve the situation for the patients. The operation of the Simon Fraser has nothing to do with our city, it is a private business.

It appears that there is a movement nationally to improve these care homes, to reduce the stuffing of rooms, thus the reason why no more quad rooms.

I think the city should be telling the operators to find another site, instead of eliminating the little bit of green space they have for the clients in the court yard.

Posted by: DPJ on October 20 2009 9:44 AM

My friends father lived in the Simon Fraser for a couple years until his death. Was in one of the 4 bed rooms for the first part of the stay. Felt like a dorm room yet paying a high fee per night. Very crowded and disgusting atmosphere. What a way to spend your final years of your life. Good this is being changed.

Posted by: metalman on October 20 2009 12:46 PM

How would you like to live out the rest of your life in a care home, and to add insult to injury, have to share a room with three others? And pay for the privelege? My god that is the stuff of nightmares. I am not usually a fan of more regulation, but if the provincial government is mandating max two to a room, it is a step in the right direction. I suppose the end result will be that the occupants have to pay higher monthly fees though I hope not.
metalman.

Posted by: supertech on October 20 2009 8:08 PM

The ownwers have finally come to their senses. This was probably forced by the newer and nicer places that have been built. (Chateau and Gateway) People do not want their parents to die in a shared room and I don't care to die in one either.

Posted by: BC Mary on October 21 2009 8:40 PM

It's strange territory, isn't it ... where each one of us has to figure out the options for our final years,

and how we want to die.

Each one of us has to figure this out,

and really, it seems like such a hit-and-miss situation. Where does a person begin?