Manitoulin Lodge owner Jarlette Health Services gifts facility to town
by Tom Sasvari
GORE BAY—Jarlette Health Services is in discussions with the Town of Gore Bay to transfer the Manitoulin Lodge Nursing Home licence to the municipality, which is looking at an ownership entity towards redevelopment and keeping the beds in the town.
“Today we are announcing that Jarlette Health Services has entered into a discussion with the Town of Gore Bay regarding the future of the Lodge,” said Jill Knowlton, director of long-term care operations for Jarlette Health Services at a press conference on March 21 with Gore Bay Mayor Ron Lane, families and residents of the Lodge. “The Town, in partnership with surrounding municipalities and others is looking at all options for ownership and redevelopment.”
“The important message is that together with Jarlette Health Services, we are committed to keeping long-term care in our community for now and years to come,” said Mayor Lane. “This can be a long process as we work together with Jarlette, our community and our partners at the Ministry of Long-Term Care (MOHLTC). We are in the very early stages of these discussions.”
“We do of course understand that change represents uncertainty. We want to reassure residents, their families, our team members, and the broader community that we will work closely with all our sector partners, including the MOHLTC, to manage a smooth transition for all. To that end, we are committed to providing regular updates to residents, family members, team members and community stakeholders throughout this lengthy process,” said Ms. Knowlton.
Mr. Knowlton said, “Lodge residents will continue to have the same level of excellent care as they currently receive. Manitoulin Lodge will continue to need the services of a dedicated team of professionals. Normal operations at the long-term care home will continue.”
“It is important that long-term care services remain within the community of Gore Bay to ensure that the residents and families continue to be well served and that the home be elevated to an even stronger position for redevelopment,” said Ms. Knowlton.
Mayor Lane told the gathering, “The Manitoulin Lodge has been here for over 40 years. It is a Western Manitoulin Island home, and it is critically important to myself and council that the nursing home beds stay here in the community. People need not be afraid of what is happening.”
“Planning has been in the works for awhile to keep the Lodge beds here in town and assure the lifestyles of residents now and in the future will remain and these residents receive the dignity that they deserve,” said Mayor Lane.
Mayor Lane explained, “’we’re working on a proposal for the Manitoulin Lodge in Gore Bay to transition into a community owned home to continue the excellent care residents have received over the years,” said Mayor Lane. “We need to plan for that. The management structure is still being worked on. The key is we are working on it for you. We also need support from our provincial partners the MOHLTC and others on this complex process.”
“We would like to thank the Jarlette family for all they have done over the years. Many small rural communities don’t have long-term care facilities, but on Manitoulin we have two long-term care facilities in our municipalities and one in Wiikwemkoong,” continued Mayor Lane. “We appreciate the advocacy and support the Jarlette family has voiced to keep the lodge here and not move the beds somewhere else.”
It was pointed out by both Mayor Lane and Ms. Knowlton that the community, residents and families will be engaged and informed of all steps of the process. “Manitoulin Lodge has been an integral part of the Gore Bay and Manitoulin Island community for over 45 years, during which time it has built strong relationships with residents, their families, dedicated team members and volunteers, and the Island’s broader communities.”
“While proud of this legacy Manitoulin Lodge and the Town of Gore Bay are mindful that redevelopment of the LTC home is essential to fulfilling the increasingly complex care needs of residents. That is why Manitoulin Lodge, and many of those of the council of the Town of Gore Bay, have been energetic advocates of redevelopment for years,” said Ms. Knowlton.
“I hope everyone understands the real commitment of the town and the community to keeping the beds in the Lodge in Gore Bay,” said Ms. Knowlton. “There is clear strategy in place for redevelopments for Northern Ontario. Council is very hopeful to find this. It takes a tremendous amount of leadership around this.”
One person at the meeting asked if in the future the Lodge will continue as a for profit corporation. “We are in discussions on the transfer of the Lodge to Gore Bay. What entity will receive it is being worked on,” said Ms. Knowlton.
“Current licencing on the Lodge to make improvements expires in 2025. Is this still in place?” asked one family member.
“Across the province licences for many LTC homes expire in 2025, and they have to apply for redevelopment,” said Ms. Knowlton. “But for instance, in this case we are signalling to the province that we need an extension until the new home is ready to move into. I think there has to be an extension. The ministry is interested in having beds redeveloped and it would take probably between 25-30 months to build a new building, so it will no doubt take longer.” He said the town is looking at a couple of new sites for the building, within the town limits of Gore Bay.
At this point Mayor Lane said the entity that will become the new owner manager of the Lodge at this point is unknown. “We have partners and are reaching out to other partners. My understanding of LTC is that it is either non-profit or municipally owned (like the Manitoulin Centennial Manor in Little Current). We will probably be one of those two.”
As for whether the town and its partners would keep the current Lodge building Mayor Lane said, “there is a lack of seniors housing in the area. I foresee this building would be perfect for seniors housing and seniors assisted living.” And he said there is a provincial funding model in place for new LTC homes, depending on the entity holding the license. He said there is redevelopment funding available from the province for a new Lodge building. And money can be up front to build. “Jarlette (Health Services) is prepared to transfer the licence for the LTC home to the town. And there is significant funding available to redevelop the building.”
“We are reaching out to nearby municipalities and other partners to see if they are in favour of working with us to redevelop the Lodge,” said Mayor Lane, noting that “we would probably move forward with a non-profit model, but we are still in the early stages of the process. No decisions on this have been made as of yet.” He said, “it will take partnership, no small municipality can take this on themselves.”
“It’s very, very early in the process with respect to the town,” said Ms. Knowlton. “There are meetings and discussions taking place. But there hasn’t been any firm decisions made so far. These will be made by elected officials, but the mayor and council have made a big commitment to keep people informed.”
Even when a proposal goes to the ministry for approval to transfer the licence it could take up to 12 months before the licence is approved, said Ms. Knowlton. “But things will continue status quo until then.”
“In conclusion I want to tell you that I come from a smaller town, with a population of 35 people. I understand the importance of keeping the long-term care nursing home close to close. There is a tremendous commitment and advocacy locally to keep the Manitoulin Lodge and the beds close to home. We will be working closely with Mayor Lane and council in the transition.”
After the meeting Ms. Knowlton told The Expositor, “Jarlette continues long-term care home and redevelopment projects in other areas. But we know we will not be able to redevelop the Lodge, so the Lodge will be transferred to the town. We just felt that we could not redevelop this building on this property. The Jarlette family sincerely want to keep the beds in Gore Bay, as does the town, but we know we can’t redevelop this one. It is a small home, it’s rural and it just not feasible for us.”
Mayor Lane said, “our discussions initially started in September, and got more intense at the beginning of when Jarlette approached us.” He said the town is looking at a couple of new sites for the new building, within the town limits of Gore Bay.
“I have spoke to the other three Western Manitoulin municipalities on this proposal,” said Mayor Lane. “Are they sitting at the table now? No, but they are interested. Again, as we have mentioned we are in the early stages of all of this. But all three (municipalities) agree they want to keep the Lodge and the beds in Gore Bay. If in time we feel we need to we will reach out to other municipalities on Manitoulin we will do that.’’
Mayor Lane said the key is that the Lodge and the beds will stay in Gore Bay. “Our feeling is that people will now be more comfortable to know work is being done on it.”
