Land clearing underway for new Acropolis Manor

The trucks are rumbling along Summit Avenue and the occasional sound of blasting can be heard as the long delayed replacement for Acropolis Manor finally takes it first steps.

The last two weeks have seen a fair amount of site preparation take place in order to lay the footprint for the new Seniors Care facility.

On Monday the Daily News provided an update on the progress of one of the region’s most talked about and most anticipated construction projects.

‘ESSENTIAL’ NEW ACROPOLIS MANOR SET TO TAKE SHAPE
Long awaited work to replace seniors centre begins with clearance of site
The Daily News
Monday, February 12, 2007
Pages one and three

The first step to replace Prince Rupert’s Acropolis Manor with a modernized care facility for seniors is underway with site preparation on land adjacent to the current manor.

The work involves removing trees and rocks to accommodate the larger foot-print of the replacement seniors’ care home.

“The new Acropolis Manor in Prince Rupert is part of our commitment to help seniors by giving them the support and care they need to live independently, while remaining connected to their community,” said Minister of health, George Abbott.

“Not only will this facility be a home to many seniors, it will also be a wonderful community resource as an adult day centre, I look forward to seeing this new project for seniors completed.”

NH is also preparing documents to call for a construction tender for the new building. Funding partners for the $12 million complex care portion of the project will include the North West Regional Hospital District through local tax dollars, and the Government of British Columbia through its capital grant to Northern Health.

“Health care facilities are an essential service in rural and remote areas. Our board has agreed to fund $4.8 million towards the Acropolis Manor replacement,” said North West Regional Hospital District chair Tony Briglio. “This facility represents a significant investment and commitment to health care in Prince Rupert and surrounding area. We take great pride in working unselfishly, as a cohesive and collaborative partnership in promoting, maintaining and sustaining the physical, spiritual, social and emotional well being of the citizens and communities of the Northwest.”

Northern Health through capital funding from the B. C. Government, will pay $4 million for new assisted living units in the replacement building, “The City of Prince Rupert has also “sold” land needed for the project for a dollar.

“City council is very pleased to assist Northern Health, particularly with the donation of land and the waiving of certain permit fees, to ensure this worthwhile project proceeds in a timely manner,” said Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond.

NH will issue a construction tender this month and award a contract in March, with work to begin as soon as the land is prepared and the successful construction company has brought resources to the site.

Construction of the new building is expected to be finished by the summer of 2008.

“This is an important project that will provide a wide range of services for Prince Rupert’s seniors, and we’re eager to begin this important step in the construction project.” Said NH board chair Jeff Burghardt.

The replacement of the 20 year old Acropolis Manor will bring together fifteen assisted living units for seniors who can still live largely independently. It will also include 56 complex care beds for seniors who can’t live independently any longer, as well as three dedicated respite beds for short term stays and two palliative care beds for end-of-life care.

This would combine all of the current beds at Acropolis Manor as well as the beds on the PRRH fourth floor. An expanded adult day centre will also be available, providing seniors who live in their own homes with ongoing care and recreation services.

Broadwater Industries will do the site clearing work at a cost of $688,000. The work is expected to last approximately four months and isn’t expected to affect services at the current Acropolis Manor building or the hospital.