The public can provide input on the latest designs and plans for a new long-term care facility in Hay River during an information session on Thursday.
The GNWT will hold the session at the Doug Wieterman Hall inside the Hay River Recreation Centre from 5:30-7pm.
Chris Clarke-McQueen, the director of infrastructure planning for the territory’s Department of Health and Social Services, said the meeting is a follow-up to one held when the design process started.
With the project now moving to the construction design phase, Clarke-McQueen said staff want feedback on the draft design so it can be incorporated into technical documents and used in the contract tender process.
An October 7 news release said the layout and facility services “have been resolved” but construction details are still being developed.
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Clarke-McQueen said a new long-term care facility was needed because the current facility, Woodland Manor, is “aged and outdated and not up to current standards.” The current facility has 25 beds but the latest projections suggest Hay River will soon need 34.
The new facility will offer expanded programming, Clarke-McQueen said – including a dedicated seniors and Elders day program – alongside a family room, commercial laundry and kitchen, spiritual spaces, hair care, foot care, clinical spaces and gathering hall.
“Residents will have more access to newer services and we can also support a higher need of care within the building,” said Clarke-McQueen.
In September, Hay River senior administrative officer Glenn Smith told town council that staff had finalized a contribution agreement of up to $6.3 million with the GNWT to support the development of land and construction of a long-term care facility in the Sundog area.
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Clarke-McQueen said construction is expected to begin in 2028 and could take two to three years, but an exact timeline won’t be known until a contract is awarded.
The GNWT said attendees on Thursday can expect to learn more about that timeline, the facility’s location, layout and design, and the planned services.
What will happen to the current facility once the new one opens has yet to be determined.
