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Development permit approved for new care home in Ponoka

Construction at old hospital site could begin this fall
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A development permit has been issued for the Lacombe Action Group for the Handicapped, which will see a 5,000 square foot building at the old hospital site. Construction could begin this fall. File photo

A development permit has been issued for a new care home at the old Ponoka hospital site.

A press release from the town states the Lacombe Action Group for the Handicapped has a goal to build a 5,000 square foot one-storey building on the site in addition to the new town hall and learning centre being constructed. It will face onto 57 Avenue.

Construction could begin this fall depending on the application and approval for a building permit, states the release.

“We hope to begin construction this fall and anticipate completion of the project will take about one year to complete,” added Deb Martin, executive director of the Lacombe Action Group for the Handicapped.

The release adds that provincial government funding for the new care home is being provided by Persons with Developmental Disabilities, which is part of Alberta Human Services. This building will accommodate up to eight residents with an expected employment for approximately 50 people.

“The jobs we will be recruiting for include residential care staff with mental health experience, human resources personnel, psychiatric nurses and domestic staff,” said Martin in the release.

“We are very pleased that Campus Alberta Central (CAC) will be offering post-secondary education programming in the new community learning centre building being constructed just east of us on the old hospital site.”

Land use regulations allow for more buildings on the site and Martin says there is potential for a second building, however, that will be dependent on the need for expanded services.

The Lacombe Action Group has been operating similar care homes in Lacombe and Red Deer for more than 40 years.

The development permit for the new care home is available for viewing at the Town of Ponoka Planning and Development Department located at the Ponoka Visitor Information Centre. Anyone wishing to provide written comment or make general inquiry on the proposed development may do so over the next two weeks by contacting the Subdivision Appeal Board Secretary at 403-783-4431 or by email at val.somerville@ponoka.ca.

Site work continues on the old hospital site

Underground services are being installed at the site as demolition nears completion.

The temporary road closure on 57 Avenue remains in place until work on the underground service connections is complete.