A proposal to build a new nursing home in Mahone Bay has been met with resounding approval from the community.
More than 100 people showed up to a public information session Tuesday night.
Nursing home redevelopment information session has drawn a full house. About 120 people plus 30 or so employees. pic.twitter.com/sWeXmi2r2F
— CKBW Radio (@ckbwradio) August 23, 2016
Ramsay Duff, CEO of MacLeod Group, who owns Mahone Nursing Home, says the response was more than he was hoping for.
“They’re very concerned about helping people stay in their community and age in place, and I think that’s what we saw tonight. A community that’s out in numbers because they want those things for their community.”
Duff says the current facility has some major issues and needs to be replaced.
He says beyond the buildings age emergency vehicles have trouble getting on to the property which can put lives at risk.
Duff says they need the province to get on board before they can even start the process.
He says, even with their support a new building won’t be in place for at least two years.
Meanwhile, Jackie Herman has been living in Mahone Bay for two years.
She understands the need to replace the current facility which is more than 50 years old.
But she thinks it’s important to take time and make the new facility something special.
“I think the quality of life for all of us will improve if we become more community based. If young and old come together and if we’re doing things together.”
Duff says he’s getting the message loud and clear.
“What I heard tonight is ‘our loved ones are important to us. We want to keep them here in our community, we want to surround them with community so they become a part of an energy that the community wants to maintain right within the town.”
Duff says he’ll take that feedback to the province when they make their proposal next month.
He says he hopes government will recognize the need and allow them to move forward sooner rather than later.