The newly upgraded and renovated West Perth Village long-term care home in Mitchell is officially done.
The new 128 bed facility completed construction in September, with residents moving into the new home back in March after construction began in 2020 to replace the old Ritz Lutheran Villa and Mitchell Nursing Home. CEO Leanne Davidson says the new facility never would have happened without local support.
"Residents of West Perth really stepped up and got us here. It's so nice to have such a beautiful, brand new facility and a home for our residents that matches and enhances the care that West Perth Village and Ritz Lutheran Villa and Mitchell Nursing Home have been known for throughout the years," Davidson said excitedly.
With more focus than ever on the crucial need for long-term care beds and quality facilities, Davidson adds the impact that the new facility has already had and will continue to have is huge.
"It's huge. I grew up in Mitchell, so I had grandparents that lived in the Mitchell Nursing Home, my mother worked at the Mitchell Nursing Home. It's so important to have something like this knowing that the seniors that built this community don't have to leave the community to be looked after in the later stages of their life. So, it's everything," added Davidson.
The fundraising goal for the facility was $5 million, and Davidson says they've received roughly 90 percent of that with more still coming in. The new home features brand new living spaces, entertainment and kitchen areas, outdoor spaces and upgraded nursing stations.
Davidson says the donor wall is getting very full, and she's so excited about the support from the community toward the fundraising efforts from day one.
"The community support has been overwhelming, and we have a little bit left to go. So we're going to continue with our current fundraising efforts for this project, and then look towards the future for potentially new fundraising for our next phase of the project," Davidson shared.
In terms of what that next phase might look like, Davidson says it will involve bringing other living arrangements and set ups to the West Perth Village campus.
"So I know the board of directors is really hoping to bring some more seniors apartments to the campus here and potentially some assisted living. So that step for seniors that can't live quite independently at home but don't require 24/7 nursing care, so that in-between phase," said Davidson.
“Congratulations to the Ritz Lutheran Villa team as we celebrate the opening of an upgraded long-term care home for Perth County. Our government is fixing long-term care and ensuring we build homes for seniors in the communities they helped build,” said Stan Cho, Minister of Long-Term Care. “This new home is a significant milestone for Mitchell — West Perth Village means 128 residents now have a new, modern and comfortable place to call home.”
