This release was issued under a previous government.
“Our government remains committed to protecting our most vulnerable citizens, including seniors. Thanks to the vision and direction set by Premier Jim Prentice, we’re taking action today to ensure Alberta’s seniors feel more secure in their own homes.”
Work to install fire sprinklers and other safety system upgrades in the 49-unit Sandstone Lodge will start shortly and will be completed in 2016.
“The Sandstone Lodge in Okotoks currently provides exceptional care for its 49 residents, and has been doing so for the past 25 years. I am delighted to be to be a part of the implementation of these necessary safety upgrades in the Sandstone Lodge, ensuring that the Foothills Foundation can continue providing the outstanding service our seniors deserve.”
Over the next three years, the Alberta government will direct $80 million to upgrade fire and safety systems in government-owned or supported seniors housing facilities throughout urban and rural Alberta.
Many of the 24,000 government-owned and supported seniors units in Alberta were built prior to 1990, before fire sprinklers became mandatory under fire and building safety codes. Sandstone Lodge was built in 1990.
Projects were selected based on property and operations assessments completed by housing management bodies and submitted to the Alberta government last December, with priority given to facilities presenting the biggest safety risks.
This funding comes from the financial reserves of the Alberta Social Housing Corporation and is in addition to previously allocated investments for replacement of older facilities and capital improvements to existing seniors’ accommodations.