ATHENS — Construction is underway on a brand new building for Maple View Lodge, a long-term care home in Athens. This is part of the government’s $6.4 billion commitment to build more than 30,000 net new beds by 2028 and 28,000 upgraded long-term care beds across the province.

“Congratulations to Maple View Lodge on the ground-breaking for their home expansion project. Our government is fixing long-term care and a key part of that plan is building modern, safe, and comfortable homes for our seniors,” said Paul Calandra, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Today’s construction start is a significant milestone for Athens – and will bring 132 new beds to the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. When building is completed, 192 residents will have a new place to call home, near their family and friends.”

Maple View Lodge will continue to be operated by the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, and is expected to welcome its first residents in early 2025. The home will provide 132 new beds, in addition to 60 existing beds, for a total of 192 safe, modern long-term care beds in Athens. This brand new building will have specific design improvements, including semi-private and private rooms, no ward rooms, larger resident common areas and air conditioning throughout the home.

The new Maple View Lodge will offer specialized health care, behavioural support and palliative care services, which helps integrate the long-term care home into the broader health care system and ensures residents have access to the care they need. This upgraded home will help Ontario address the growing demand for long-term care which has increased wait times for beds and contributed to hallway health care.

“This ground-breaking marks a significant moment for our community,” said Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes. “After the challenges of the pandemic, I am proud to be part of a government following through on its commitment to support and strengthen long-term care across Ontario. These 132 new beds are a critical support for seniors in our community, and I thank Minister Calandra for his continued work on this file.”

The government is fixing long-term care to ensure Ontario’s seniors get the quality of care and quality of life they need and deserve both now and in the future. The plan is built on three pillars: staffing and care; accountability, enforcement, and transparency; and building modern, safe, comfortable homes for seniors.