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IOOF Seniors Homes cuts ribbon to open accessible pathway

Dignitaries on hand for grand opening of $130K project at Brooks Street facility in Barrie
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Shown during the grand opening of the outdoor garden pathway at IOOF’s Heritage Place supportive housing facility are, from left, Coun. Jim Harris, Sarah-Jane Taylor on behalf of MP John Brassard, Mayor Alex Nuttall, Lorraine Whitwell, vice-president of the Resident Housing Association, Garry C. Hopkins, IOOF Seniors Homes CEO, and Katherine Chabot on behalf of MPP Andrea Khanjin.

NEWS RELEASE
IOOF SENIORS HOMES
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The IOOF Seniors Homes celebrated the grand opening of the newly reconstructed outdoor garden walkway at the IOOF’s Heritage Place supportive housing facility, located at 20 Brooks St., in Barrie.

This $130,000 project was funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund through a generous $51,784 grant provided by Employment and Social Development Canada and the IOOF Seniors Homes Inc.

IOOF residents, staff and board members were joined by Mayor Alex Nuttall and Coun. Jim Harris from the City of Barrie, Sarah-Jane Taylor on behalf of Barrie-Innisfil MP John Brassard, and Katherine Chabot on behalf of Environment Minister Andrea Khanjin (Barrie-Innisfil MPP), who presented greetings to attendees.

Assisted living residents at Heritage Place enjoy the beautifully constructed and accessible walkway that allows those with reduced mobility to benefit from the health and well-being effects of the outdoors.

“The ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates the importance of ensuring that the IOOF is able to continue investing in accessible outdoor spaces for our residents to enjoy social activities, exercising, and access to the gardens who may otherwise be isolated because of mobility restrictions,” said Garry C. Hopkins, CEO, IOOF Seniors Homes.

The IOOF Seniors Homes also celebrated a milestone 30-year anniversary of the construction of the Heritage Place facility in Allandale with a special reception for residents following the grand opening of the newly renovated walkway.

In addition, on Thursday, Sept. 26 at the Terraces at Heritage Square (IOOF Seniors Homes), the IOOF welcomed Mayor Nuttall and Coun. Sergio Morales from the City of Barrie, Lana Barkan on behalf of Minister Khanjin, and Sarah-Jane Taylor on behalf of MP Brassard to celebrate the 20th anniversary of opening the facility.

Built in 2004, The Terraces at Heritage Square is a 161 condo-style apartment facility and services pavilion, based upon the life-lease purchase option, and is home to many seniors in our community.

Thank you to those who attended the grand opening ceremony and anniversary events to help celebrate the IOOF Seniors Homes and the importance of services provided to seniors in the community.

The IOOF has embarked on their largest capital redevelopment campaign to expand the long-term care facility (10 Brooks St., Barrie). The project will create 64 new long-term care beds and 66 upgraded beds, with modern spaces, updated equipment, private rooms, and increased square footage.

When completed, the long-term care home will be a 226-bed facility.

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