MLA Roger Reid and Mayor Blair Painter perform the ribbon cutting at Peaks to Pines Lodge with members of the senior housing committee on September 7, 2023. Nick Allen photo.
Nicholas L. M. Allen
Sept 14, 2022
The grand opening celebration of the new 85-unit Peaks to Pines seniors' lodge took place on September 7 in the outside courtyard and was followed by tours of the facility.
Peaks to Pines first opened its doors to residents in June, offering 61 units for independent seniors and 24 are designated supportive living units, mainly for those living with dementia.
The facility includes a commercial kitchen and laundry facilities, dining area, salon and multi-use area.
Federal Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion Ahmed Hussen, Alberta Seniors and Housing Minister Josephine Pon and Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping offered congratulations on behalf of the federal and provincial governments the day of the grand opening. Livingstone-Macleod MLA Roger Reid attended the grand opening on behalf of Minister Pon and the provincial government.
“It is my pleasure to be here today to celebrate what we have here at this facility and it's my privilege to bring you greetings today from Premier Jason Kenney and the Minister of Seniors and Housing Josephine Pon both send their regrets for not being here today,” said Reid.
Reid acknowledged it is important to advocate for “world-class” facilities like this for seniors in rural Alberta.
“We know it's important for us to be able to stay close to home, to stay close to friends and family and I'm so pleased with what we have here at this facility here in the Crowsnest Pass,” he said.
Reid had a few final words for residents before he finished his speech, “Welcome home, I hope you enjoy it.”
The Alberta Social Housing Corporation owns the building, but it is run by the Crowsnest Pass Senior Housing organization and the Municipality of Crowsnest Pass donated the land.
“I’m really pleased to welcome everyone here today to the grand opening of the Peaks to Pines Lodge. Thank you to all of the dignitaries that were able to be here today,” said Mayor Blair Painter.
Painter thanked the provincial and federal governments for their funding support and the administration and staff for working together to see the project through to completion.
“This project will assist in filling the need for affordable housing choices for our senior residents,” he said.
The governments of Alberta and Canada contributed $19.7 million under the Affordable Housing Agreement. The Alberta government also supplied almost $6.5 million in continuing care capital grant funding in March 2019 to support the development of continuing care capacity. The final project cost was $26.2 million.
After the speakers had all finished, there was a ribbon cutting ceremony to signal the opening of the facility.
Those interested in the facility can learn more about the costs at cpsh.ca/peaks-to-pine-lodge.