Ground breaking for Acropolis replacement finally takes place

breaking for Acropolis replacement finally takes place

It’s been one of the most talked about projects for years, a replacement for the senior’s care facility in town that seems to have seen more studies and discussions than doctor’s see patients.

The long talked about replacement for Acropolis Manor took a giant step forward last week as the first ceremonial shovels hit the dirt to declare the project’s construction phase as underway. With work set to get underway now, Prince Rupert seniors can look forward to new living accommodations and expanded local services within the next 18 months or so.

The Daily News featured the developments of Friday’s event, with a front page story.

GROUND BROKEN FOR NEW ACROPOLIS
Replacement building will provide almost 80 beds for the area’s seniors
By Kris Schumacher
The Daily News
Monday, July 16, 2007
Page one

The groundbreaking ceremony for the replacement for Acropolis Manor on Friday drew an appreciative crowd of people, many of whom had campaigners for years to ensure such a project was begun.

The $20 million project saw the first soil overturned by four community leaders and representatives, made up of Prince Rupert Mayor Herb Pond, Northwest Regional District Hospital chair Tony Briglio, Northern Health Board chair Jeff Burghardt, and community elder and leader Leonard Alexcee.

”I thought I was coming here this morning to pick out my new bed,” joked Pond before acknowledging the various stakeholders and community members who helped make the new centre a possibility.

The facility is only one of many projects the government of B. C., has been working on to meet goals they had set for senior care across the province.

“The new residential care and assisted living facility in Prince Rupert builds on our commitment to build 5,000 new beds by the end of 2008 and promises to be an excellent place that seniors can call home,” said provincial Health Minister George Abbott. “The official sod turning marks an important milestone as construction gets underway.”
When construction is complete at the end of 2008, the new building will provide a total of 61 new replacement residential care beds and 15 assisted living units, along with a new adult day centre for seniors.

“Communities across Northern British Columbia will see substantial upgrades to seniors’ care facilities over the next year, as we replace aging complex care facilities and add new assisted living services,” said Burghardt. “We appreciate the support that funding agencies across the region have provided as we work to make these projects a reality.”

Site preparation for the larger footprint of the building started early this year, wrapping up on time and under budget. Following a public tender process, Northern Health named Yellowridge Construction as the successful contractor for the 18 month job. “This facility will be a substantial improvement over existing care services, providing seniors in Prince Rupert, Port Edward and outlying villages with the supports they need and deserve as they age,” said Briglio.

“This, along with other initiatives to enhance health facilities in communities across the Northwest, is what our board has been working on for several years. It is exciting to see these projects moving from discussion to construction.