Open houses planned to build support in push for provincial approval
St. Andrews – With the provincial government still withholding approval for a new, modern Passamaquoddy Lodge long-term residential care, support to aging in place and early childhood education facility, the development committee behind the project is appealing for public support to get it over the line.
The committee, which has spent seven years advancing the plan, has organized two open houses to update residents and gather backing from the communities served by the current Lodge. As part of these meetings, the committee will outline potentially serious economic effects on the area from continued setbacks to construction of the long-term care facility. They will also discuss how the on-hold daycare expansion could affect local families and reduce childcare options for working parents.
“We have spent years on research and raised more than $600,000 for in-depth studies required to jump through hurdles continuously thrown at us by the province,” says committee chair Caroline Davies. “We have heard great praise for our design concepts and received solid support from several ever-changing cabinet ministers, yet no one will give the final approval to move forward.”
A full update, as well as detailed plans, renderings, and schematics for the residential-style complex, will be available Nov. 25 from 2:00–3:30 p.m. with a presentation at 2:30 p.m. A second open house will take place the same day from 5:30–7:00 p.m. with a presentation at 6:30 p.m. Both sessions will be held in the dining room at the W.C. O’Neill Arena in Saint Andrews.
In addition to 60 long-term-care beds, the complex includes space for 118 child-care spots and a community activity hub to support aging in their homes for local seniors. Several other provinces have adopted a similar model.
With the current 53-year-old lodge no longer meeting provincial standards and the daycare bursting at the seams, the development committee encourages the public to sign letters of support, which will then be delivered to Premier Susan Holt, members of her cabinet, and the local MLA Kathy Bockus.
“Until the government agrees to negotiate a per diem rate and says, ‘Yes, you can begin construction,’ we cannot put that first shovel in the ground,” says Davies. “Delays have put potentially $20 million in fundraising at risk.”
Regional residents will have the option of viewing the plans and schematics at https://passamaquoddylodge.ca. Copies of the Statement of Support can be picked up at Saint Andrews Town Hall or Passamaquoddy Lodge during regular business hours, or on-line at https://passamaquoddylodge.ca. They can be dropped off at any of the following: Saint Andrews Town Hall, Passamaquoddy Lodge, or Passamaquoddy Daycare at 390 Montague Street, or at its satellite location in the basement of the Catholic Church at 212 Parr Street.