Work begins on Elders Lodge at Pasqua First Nation
- Jeanelle Mandes | September 26, 2020
Pasqua First Nation will start construction this fall on a new Elders Lodge that will house 12 seniors when it opens next September.
The $12 million facility will be about 25,000 square feet and will include individual rooms, kitchenettes, a dentist and doctor’s office, hair salon, sauna, fitness centre, a ceremonial room, a multi-media theatre, a library and a lounge for socializing.
“This means that our people don’t have to leave (the community) and it will give them a sense of security,” said Pasqua Chief Matthew T. Peigan. “What it will allow for is our Elders in our independent living complex that they can transition to our long-term care facility.”
Pasqua Elder Sharon Chicoose said she is looking forward to the Elders Lodge.
“When a person requires more care, an Elders Lodge is going to provide those services. I’m very happy that the leadership has taken the step to do this,” said Chicoose. “It will be good to have that facility and the services it will provide.”
Based on the requirement of the level of care that is needed, space that will be available and if the Elder is from the community, this is how they determine who qualifies to live in the lodge.
The name of the Elders lodge will be disclosed at the grand opening next year.
KRN Tolentino Architecture designed the facility and Quorex Construction Services will build it.
Quorex manager Kyle Fairbairn said he looks forward to forging relationships with the First Nation and becoming part of the community.
“Our team members are excited to work alongside and to provide employment and training to members of the community knowing that we all have experience and skill sets that will be able to learn from one another.”