By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Former Red Deer Nursing Home to be demolished

Nov 17, 2018 | 9:13 AM

The former Red Deer Nursing Home in Bower will be demolished early in 2019.

Pre-demolition work was recently started, according to a statement from Alberta Health Services. Work to remove hazardous materials from the AHS facility will continue over the next several months. There is no risk to the health of nearby residents.

Once this work is done, it’s expected the site will be used for a new 65-unit seniors lodge, operated by the Ministry of Seniors and Housing.

Meanwhile, AHS has placed the vacant Valley Park Manor in Riverside Meadows on the real estate market and hopes to find a private buyer.

“Alberta Health Services wants to thank the community for its patience as we explored all possible options on what to do with these properties moving forward,” says Kerry Bales, Chief Zone Officer, Central Zone. “We believe we found the best solutions.”

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When Red Deer’s 280-bed Michener Hill Village opened in 2010, the Red Deer Nursing Home and Valley Park Manor were both closed because residents moved into the new facility.

“Facility studies have concluded the buildings are no longer appropriate environments for providing the best possible care,” Bales.adds. “It would be too costly to renovate the buildings given significant upgrades required to meet today’s care standards.”

AHS has opened more than 330 continuing care spaces at Covenant Care’s Villa Marie, Christenson Communities Timberstone Mews, and at Points West Living Facilities. Another 125 spaces are expected to become available next year at The Hamlets at Red Deer.