Residents weigh in on redevelopment plans for George Pearson Centre
When building a new home, it’s important to talk to the people who will live there. That’s why Vancouver Coastal Health reached out to the residents of George Pearson Centre to get their views on the future plans for the site in South Vancouver.
George Pearson Centre (Pearson) is a 114-bed residential care facility for adults with disabilities who have complex care needs. Built in 1952, the Pearson Centre sits on an 18-acre parcel of park-like land that also includes Dogwood Lodge – a residential care facility for seniors. Both the Pearson Centre and Dogwood Lodge facilities are aging and no longer meet current facility standards.
Residents have their say
Vancouver Coastal Health has been working with several partners to redevelop the Pearson Dogwood Lands – replacing Dogwood, building homes for Pearson residents on the site and building a surrounding community of market housing as well as a community health centre.
Project Director Lori Benning and Community Engagement Lead Katie Hume, together with representatives from Community and Residents Mentor Association, or CARMA, visited each of the George Pearson Centre wards to review the Model of Care Framework with residents and family members. Overall, residents liked design features that promote greater privacy and dignity, including individual bedrooms, bathrooms and shower facilities.
I’m happy to hear everyone will have their own bedroom – Pearson resident
Some residents expressed a strong desire to live in single units that will be included in the first phase of construction.
I want to live in an independent apartment…more freedom to do what I want, more privacy – Pearson resident
Options for care
The first 50 residents to move out of Pearson will have the following housing options;
- 10 single units
- Four group units, each supporting six residents
- Four group units, each supporting four residents
Care for residents of these units will shift from a residential or medical model of care to a social model of care. Residents will primarily be supported by professional nursing staff as well as Total Support Workers who assist residents with activities of daily living and clinical care.
Shops, transit and more
Some residents liked the proximity to services.
I think the plans overall are pretty good. I like the retail on the ground floor. Having coffee shops, Skytrain or a newspaper stand will be great. – Pearson resident
Questions and answers for residents and staff, please visit City of Vancouver
For further information about the Pearson Lands redevelopment project, please visit Vancouver Coastal Health