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 homes.”
Fire sprinklers and other safety system upgrades will be made to 75 units in the Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre, and another 100 units in the Lacombe Lodge.
“I am very pleased to see the Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre, as well as the Lacombe Lodge, have been allocated much needed funding through the fire and safety system upgrade program. The safety and comfort of our seniors is vitally important, and this initiative will go a long way to help realize our goals.”
Over the next three years, the Alberta government will direct $80 million to upgrade fire and safety systems in government-owned or supported seniors lodges throughout Alberta.
Many of the 24,000 government-owned and supported seniors apartment and lodge units in Alberta were built prior to 1990, before fire sprinklers became mandatory under fire and building safety codes.
Projects were selected based on property and operations assessments completed by housing management bodies and Alberta Health Services, with priority given to facilities presenting the biggest safety risks.
This funding primarily 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.