A second long-term care facility planned for the City of Dryden is pressing ahead.
Announced on June 1, 2000, the Central Care Corp. building will add 64 long-term care beds to the area.
Designs for the facility have not yet been finalized, but a spokesperson for Central Care in Ontario says the project is ongoing and designs are still being modified in order to bring the total cost of the project within budget.
Officials also confirmed the $8-million project is nearly eight months behind schedule. Construction of the building will cost $5 million, with additional costs for consultants' fees, insurance and design changes.
Construction costs vary in northwestern Ontario and are generally higher than in other parts of the province.
A site for the facility has not yet been selected, although a city-owned parcel of land near the Dryden Regional Health Centre is reportedly the preferred site. Soil tests have already been completed and have shown a high level of salt due to snow dumping. Salt could have an impact on the building's foundation, officials say. Site selection is expected to be completed in August.
Central Care Corp. was awarded the Dryden contract under the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care program to develop 2,000 new long-term care beds in the province.
Since last year, the company has been awarded other contracts, including 128 beds at each of Port Hope, Kanata, Brampton and King City (York), and 192 beds at Scarborough.
