Ontario Breaks Ground on Long-Term Care Home in St. Catharines

November 18, 2024

St. Catharines – Construction is underway on the redevelopment of Extendicare St. Catharines’s new 256 bed long-term care home in St. Catharines. This project was a recipient of the Construction Funding Subsidy top-up, part of the Ontario government’s commitment to build 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds across the province.

“The number of people in Niagara who will require long-term care is expected to rise over the next decade,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West.

“Today’s groundbreaking at the Extendicare St. Catherines site in Niagara West will help ensure we have safe, modern spaces ready for them.”

“Congratulations to the team on the redevelopment of Extendicare St. Catharines,” said Tyler Allsopp, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Long-Term Care.

“Our government is fixing long-term care, and a key part of that plan is building capacity where Ontarians need it. Today marks a significant milestone for St. Catharines. When construction is complete, 256 residents will have a safe and modern place to call home.”

“Today’s groundbreaking marks our seventh redevelopment project and the latest step in our plans to redevelop all our older homes to modern design standards to improve quality of life for our residents,” said Dr. Michael Guerriere, President and CEO of Extendicare.

“When the doors open, this 256-bed home will increase capacity for high-quality seniors’ care in the region by welcoming more than 100 new residents who are currently awaiting long-term care.”

The new 256-bed home will consist of 104 new and 152 redeveloped beds throughout four floors, with two Resident Home Areas on each floor. Resident Home Areas are designed to create a more intimate and familiar living space for up to thirty-two residents each, with dining and activity areas, lounges and bedrooms. Specific Resident Home Areas will offer specialized support, including dementia care and care for individuals with unique medical needs that don’t require inpatient hospital services. Additionally, it will accommodate residents whose care requirements cannot be met within other community settings.

The home will offer a range of care options, including restorative and palliative care, along with private spaces for families supporting residents through end-of-life care. Additional amenities include a café for residents and their families, dedicated family dining areas, a chapel, and a beauty salon/barber shop.

Extendicare St. Catharines is expected to welcome its first residents in early 2027.

The government is fixing long-term care to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve. The plan is built on four pillars: staffing and care; quality and enforcement; building modern, safe, and comfortable homes; and connecting seniors with faster, more convenient access to the services they need.