Open houses draw strong interest from Powell River residents

Powell River residents, as well as current Olive Devaud residents and family members, heard good news from project team members working on the Willingdon Creek Village residential care facility at two open houses held yesterday in the town.

Representatives of both Powell River Regional Hospital District (PRRHD) and Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) were on hand to answer questions and deliver short presentations on the process and timing of the project that is scheduled to be completed in 2015.

The facility is a $23.5 million partnership between PRRHD and VCH that will result in a new facility – to be owned by the PRRHD and built on its land – adjacent to Powell River General Hospital and operated by VCH. The Powell River Health Care Auxiliary is also a partner, having pledged more than $877,000 for much-needed equipment at the new facility.

Willingdon Creek Village will accommodate the same number of residents as Olive Devaud currently does (81) but will have additional space for future expansion.

Plans for the new facility call for:

  • Six houses, each containing 17 single-occupant rooms with a ceiling lift in each room.
  • Shared living spaces for clients.
  • An adult day program that accommodates 12 clients (with future capacity for up to 20 clients)
  • A tunnel connecting the new facility to Powell River General Hospital.