The newest addition to the Creighton Lodge complex was opened with a flourish of food and fun on the evening of June 29 with about 250 people, including friends and families of lodge residents, on hand to enjoy a barbecue followed by a brief program, ribbon-cutting ceremony and musical entertainment.
The seniors鈥� housing unit features renovated one bedroom suites, five units with a bedroom and den, and bachelor units for up to 80 residents and several units with kitchens, plus one and two bathroom suites. The lodge is designed for independent senior living or for those who require only light (Level 1 and 2) care.
Lorraine Bonokoski, aged 97, who has been a resident at the lodge for 39 years, and has seen various transformations during this time, had the honour of cutting the ribbon in the new lounge.
The new 2,000-square-foot addition provides more room for lodge activities, since the original lounge and foyer were limited and thereby restricted residents鈥� activities.
A full-service commercial kitchen was also revived and renovated in 2010.
Laureen Keating, the chairwoman of the board of directors, comprised of representatives from the rural municipalities of Estevan, Cymri, Coalfields, Benson and Cambria which own the facility and property, spoke of the many advances the lodge has undergone since the lodge was transferred to the RM consortium by the Sun Country Health Region, six years earlier.
New heating and air conditioning systems have since been installed along with the renovated kitchen. Most of the suites have been updated with many of the former bachelor units turned into one bedroom suites with dens and additional bathrooms and kitchens.
Window replacements and major roof repairs were also necessary before the board and management could turn their attention to the expansion project.
Keating and co-managers Shelly Veroba and Judy Pratt noted how the lounge expansion plans had to be put on hold a couple of times, while funds were raised for the window and roof replacements, but the community rallied behind the efforts which allowed them to hold very successful fundraising drives and events.
鈥淣ow here we are today, and this is how far we鈥檝e come,鈥� said Keating, glancing around the spacious new lounge area with a high ceiling, comfortable seating and other amenities. 鈥淭his lounge brings the lodge residents together as a community,鈥� Keating added, promising that the trust committee would continue their ambitious fundraising efforts for future needs.
Doug Blue, a member of the trust committee and board, noted how the 60-year-old building required a lot of attention after the takeover, but it was done quickly thanks to community support and an ambitious revitalization plan.
Greg Hoffort, who was instrumental in getting the five-owner RMs together for the purchase from the health region, is back on the management committee after a short hiatus. 鈥淵ou, the residents, are the builders of our community and you have made good decisions in the past. One of the best decisions the board made was to hire Shelly and Judy as co-managers.鈥�
Veroba and Pratt spoke briefly, noting how the physical advancements were truly welcomed by the lodge administration and residents, but it was really the people, the residents and the community as a whole, who were the winners.
鈥淚t鈥檚 more than bricks and mortar, it鈥檚 our home, their home,鈥� said Pratt, who noted that the expansion included some additional and badly needed office space.
Following the meal and program, residents, family and friends enjoyed an evening of musical entertainment provided by Del Koch and Kelly Eagles who are regular musical visitors to the lodge.
