24-bed elders home in Rankin Inlet expected to be ready this year
Construction delays push back opening that was originally set for 2023, GN spokesperson says
Rankin Inlet’s elder-care home got a $25 million boost from the federal government as part of a funding announcement earlier this month. (File photo)
Construction of Rankin Inlet’s new elders centre is behind schedule but not over budget, says the Department of Community and Government Services.
The federal government announced earlier this month it is giving $25 million to the long-term care home, a project that is 90 per cent complete.
That money is issued through Infrastructure Canada’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.
In order to be eligible to receive funding through the program, CGS had to identify projects that could be completed by a 2025 deadline, according to department spokesperson Hala Duale.
Now, GN money that had already been allocated to the long-term care home can be spent on other projects, she said in an email.
The $59.35-million project is within budget, she confirmed.
The Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program supports retrofits and new construction that is green and accessible to “high-needs, underserved communities,” states the program’s website.
The federal government reimburses spending retroactively for projects going back to April 1, 2021, said Caleb Spassov, spokesperson for Infrastructure Canada, in an email to Nunatsiaq News.
The remainder of the project’s cost, $34.35 million, is still the GN’s responsibility.
Rankin Inlet’s 24-bed long-term care centre was originally set for completion in 2023.
Duale said construction delays affected the project, but did not provide further details.
She said the project is 90 per cent finished and expected to be complete later this year.
Where are they going to find the health workers for this facility when there is a dire shortage across Canada? The health center in Rankin has been short staffed for quite a while now..
Another question, where are these new licensed and registered healthcare workers going to live?
There are different types of nurses and for senior homes, they are Licensed Practical nurses, not a registered nurse like the ones at the health center’s.
NAC started a nursing course at the beginning of construction so that by the time the facility was completed they would have graduated and could start working at the facility right away. For once the GN was prepared and planned ahead.
Any idea how many graduates NAC has produced from this round of training so far?
Let’s not show any negativity for change on this important project. Kivalliq elders will receive proper care at this facility. It’s not even open yet and negative foiba in the works…
This new elder home is a step in the direction. Training workers in any field, takes time to make them competent. Learn to crawl before walking.
There is a Health Care shortage every where in the world, I continue to hear we have to bring our elders back from Ottawa, at the same time we have all the facility’s to train Inuit, hospitals, Arctic college, residences in Iqaluit, Rankin, the training should have started 3 years ago when this facility was being planned, and I keep hearing how Arviats population is booming, and no job, train some of these unemployed people to take care of our elders
If only it was as easy as training some of those unemployed people. Come on, Sam… the problems run much deeper than that.
Twenty (2-4) four Elder 💖 will sleep comfortably tonight.
Wish we could do more.😍