Actual construction work for the new Residence began last month but the official groundbreaking ceremony was scheduled for late March when the weather began to warm up. The March 23 ceremony was a virtual one, with the eight mayors lining up in two rows at the Spence Street site in Hawkesbury to each dig up a shovelful of earth in front of a camera for a livestream broadcast.
“This new building will meet the needs of the community,” stated Stéphane Sarrazin, warden for the United Counties of Prescott-Russell (UCPR), “and ensure that the highest quality of service and safety standards are maintained for years to come.”
The site for the new Residence is located a few blocks from the Hawkesbury and District General Hospital. When completed, the $90 million facility will have beds for 224 seniors and others requiring long-term care.
The facility will feature a large multi-purpose room, dining room, beauty salon, and landscaped outdoor areas, including a central public courtyard. Final construction work is expected by the end of 2023 with the facility ready to welcome residents from the present Residence in 2024.
