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 benefiting the 496 residents in Southwood and Brentwood Care Centres will have an anticipated start date of summer 2015 and a projected completion date of the end of 2016.
“These facilities contribute to the high quality of life enjoyed by seniors in our community. I know many of our residents have loved ones who live in Southwood, and I’m proud that our government is delivering on its commitment to improve these important safety measures.”
Over the next two years, the Alberta government will direct
$80 million to upgrade fire and safety systems in 76 government-owned or supported seniors housing facilities throughout urban and rural Alberta. An additional 1,750 continuing care spaces will also receive funding for fire and safety system upgrades.
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. The first buildings at Brentwood and Southwood were built in 1964.
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.