A new, six-storey building is being hailed as a significant addition to downtown Vernon.
A ceremony was held Friday to acknowledge the start of construction of the Hamlets at Vernon, which will contain 85 publicly funded and 15 private-pay residential complex care beds, as well as 53 private-pay assisting living beds.
“It will be a huge asset to downtown,” said Eric Foster, Vernon-Monashee MLA, at the 29th Avenue site.
“There will be a lot of folks living here and in the core of everything,”
The building will also provide main floor retail space for businesses catering to the needs of the residents living in the facility as well as seniors in the area.
“We’re excited about the life we bring to our communities,” said Andre Van Ryk, with H&H Total Care Services, which will operate the Hamlets.
The Interior Health Authority currently contracts with H&H to provide residential services in Kamloops and Penticton.
It’s expected the Hamlets at Vernon will be open in mid-2017.
“We hope there will be a lot of life that lives in our building and through out building,” said Van Ryk.
Besides the residences, adult day care programs will be available.
“On top of supports and services found in other care homes, this new facility was designed to accommodate individuals with moderate and higher levels of dementia,” said Cindy Kozak-Campbell, IHA residential services executive director.
The facility is being constructed on the former Bennett parking lot, which was sold by the City of Vernon to H&H Total Care Services.