Jarlette will still operate Manitoulin Lodge there until new St. Joseph’s takes over management
GORE BAY—The Town of Gore Bay has taken the next step in taking ownership of the Manitoulin Nursing Home building from Jarlette Health Services.
“The only reason this item is on the agenda (at a special council meeting April 25) is that as a town we have planned to take over ownership of the Manitoulin Lodge building at some point in this process,” said Mayor Ron Lane. He explained the transition of ownership will probably take place in June 2025 when Jarlette Health Services’ operating licence runs out and St. Joseph’s Health Centre begins operating the nursing home (until a proposed new nursing home is constructed and operated by St. Joseph’s).
“To make this project work we will have to be the owner of the (Manitoulin Lodge) building and property for two or three years,” said Mayor Lane. He said at that point the town would look at either selling or repurposing the building and property for other uses.
“St. Joseph’s will lease from us,” said Mayor Lane. He noted that Jarlette is donating the nursing home to the town and the town will be providing a taxable receipt.
Mayor Lane said at the meeting last week, “we have been talking for quite some time of this agreement that assures ownership will continue operation by St. Joseph’s and eventually we will have to consider what we are going to do with the building. We have been working on this agreement for quite some time with Jarlette, and now that we have this agreement in place, we need council’s approval.” He likened the agreement to the purchase of a sale of a house except that in this case no money is changing hands.
A couple of concerns were raised by a couple of council members. Dan Osborne asked what would happen when the appraisal is done on the nursing home and if something is found that is deemed hazardous.
Councillor Rob Dearing noted there is a septic system on the property (prior to 1979 the town had no sewer system).
“We put in the agreement that they (Jarlette) would have to disclose anything they know about it,” said Mayor Lane. He explained Jarlette will be getting independent appraisers to carry out an appraisal on the building and any environment concerns will affect value.
“We are taking a risk when we are taking ownership of the building as is, but if there is something found that Jarlette should have made us aware of, we can go back to them (Jarlette). All of this is necessary to make this proposal work and to keep the nursing home here in Gore Bay,” said Mayor Lane.
Council agreed to pass a motion to enter into an agreement for the potential acquisition of the Lodge property. Mayor Lane noted both Jarlette and St. Joseph’s have signed a letter of intent to carry on the operations of Manitoulin Lodge.
As for the redevelopment update, Mayor Lane told council a meeting will take place in Manitoulin Lodge’s front activity room to discuss the project and architectural details on Monday, May 13 at 1:30 pm for community stakeholders. The gathering will provide members of the public an opportunity to talk to Jaime-Lynn Kalmikov, administrator of Manitoulin Lodge, Kari Gervais, president and CEO St. Joseph’s Health Centre Sudbury and representative of Belanger (the architect) will outline the design for the proposed new nursing home.
“The design for the new building has been changed since the original design was presented in November,” said Mayor Lane. “Among other things it will now include an enclosed courtyard. Currently there is an enclosed courtyard at the Lodge, which hadn’t been included in the original design.”
