Photo courtesy of MMMC Architects
NEWS RELEASE –
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE –
APRIL 30, 2021 –
St. Joseph’s Villa to receive over $1.3 million in federal-provincial funding to enhance facility systems
DUNDAS, ONTARIO – St. Joseph’s Villa will receive a $1.3 million investment from the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario to upgrade its fire sprinkler system in the West Wing and East Wing and the facility’s chiller plant. Over $1.1 million of the investment is being provided by the federal government and over $277,000 is being provided by the provincial government. The funding comes from a federal-provincial program that will invest $99.4 million in 95 long-term care projects across Ontario, which was announced Friday, April 16, 2021.
The federal-provincial investment comes through the COVID-19 Resilience Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, aimed to enhance HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) and fire sprinkler systems in long-term care facilities across the province.
“I am thrilled that the federal government was able to provide $1.1M to St. Joseph’s Villa for a project upgrading its sprinkler system and chiller plant,” says the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Ministry of Labour and Hamilton West-Ancaster-Dundas Liberal MP. “The Villa is a crucial Hamilton institution providing care and support to Hamiltonians when we are at our most vulnerable.”
St. Joseph’s Villa is one of the largest long-term care homes in Ontario, housing over 400 residents and employing hundreds of healthcare workers. Committed to resident and family-centred care, the Villa focuses on providing state-of-the-art accommodations, clinics and outdoor areas for residents. With such an elaborate campus, the Villa’s staff are able to support each resident’s unique physical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Equipping long-term care homes with modern and up-to-date systems is essential in providing safety and comfort for both residents and workers, and the need has been apparent since the onset of the pandemic. With long-term care residents, essential caregivers and staff among those on the frontlines of the pandemic, it’s imperative to provide the safest and most comfortable space possible.
“This federal-provincial initiative goes a long way in improving long-term care not just in Hamilton, but across Ontario,” says Mieke Ewen, Chief Operating Officer, St. Joseph’s Villa. “We’re ecstatic about the government’s investment in St. Joseph’s Villa as it allows us to upgrade essential facility systems that ensure safety and comfort for our residents and staff members. I’m excited to see how this government initiative will improve long-term care homes across the province.”