More than 200 new, residential care beds for seniors are coming to Richmond in the next four years.
Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) announced late last week that it has signed two agreements for a total of 210 new beds; a 135-bed facility on the Hamilton Lands in east Richmond and 75 new beds at a redeveloped and expanded Fraserview Care Lodge near Williams and No. 4 roads.
According to VCH, the Trellis Group will build and operate the Hamilton Village Care Centre in east Richmond, which is scheduled to open in February 2019.
Fraserview, a member of the Kaigo Seniors Living Group, will redevelop and expand by 75 beds. The completion date for that project is early 2020.
VCH says the new residential care centres will “enhance residents’ privacy and the experience of care by offering single rooms, private washrooms, more activity space and better access for wheelchairs.”
“We are still several years away from welcoming residents to these two new homes,” said Jennifer MacKenzie, chief operating officer for VCH Richmond.
“Much planning and development work will now be getting underway. But entering into these agreements is a significant step in making these plans a reality.
“These two initiatives will go a long way in supporting the health of seniors in Richmond, including those with complex care needs.”
Richmond News’ queries as to how much investment was needed to secure the 210 new beds in Richmond, or if a waiting list for care beds exists in the city, were not answered by press time.
This expansion of residential care in Richmond is part of a larger 10-year rejuvenation plan across VCH.
To date, VCH has signed agreements for about 600 beds in new and expanded facilities and an additional 300 beds are planned over the next several years across the health region.
