Client Profile: Blue Water Rest Home

Home to 150 years of Swiss heritage and rich agriculture land, the community of Zurich is located in Southwestern Ontario, just six kilometers  inland of Lake Huron. Similar to many other rural communities, Zurich has been experiencing a growing need for new infrastructure for the community and its senior population.

The Client

The Blue Water Rest Home has been a local feature in Zurich since 1966, and was well-known for its quality of care. However, its 65 out-dated rooms were in desperate need of renewal.  The existing infrastructure and equipment at the home failed to meet the standards and accessibility needs of the local seniors.  The area was also in need of a new central hub that could support community services and programs for residents of all ages. 
As a result of the needs in this rural area, the Blue Water Rest Home was chosen by the provincial government as a pilot project for the “B” and “C” bed redevelopment program.  The program calls for the redevelopment of 35,000 older “B” and “C” class long-term care beds over a ten year period. Under the program, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care provides  funding of up to $100,000 for the planning and redevelopment of a home. The program also increases per diem rates for each bed that recognize inflation, construction costs and the specific challenges faced by smaller, rural, non-profit homes. 

The Project

Working together with the South West Local Health Integration Network and a variety of local service partners, the Blue Water Rest Home recognized an opportunity to develop other programs, such as wellness initiatives, child day care, supportive housing units and training programs. By combining the long-term care bed redevelopment with the renovation of an attached community centre, the project brings together both health and social services in one central location. Blue Water Rest Home supports senior services as well as a host of other programs throughout the Zurich community.  The new campus has been dubbed the “West Huron Care Centre”.

The Solution 

With funding from the Ministry, and the community, the $10,770,000 long-term care project was still short of its finance needs. Blue Water Rest Home turned to Infrastructure Ontario for help. Infrastructure Ontario was able to provide an affordable $8,731,600 loan in order to support the pilot project. 

“The loan application process was fast and simple, and the people were efficient and co-operative.  Construction funding was at a low interest rate that allowed project flexibility.  Overall, we were extremely happy to work with Infrastructure Ontario; the result is a wonderful new Long-Term Care Home in our community.”

Martha Craig, Administrator - Blue Water Rest Home

The Result

After many years of persistence and hard work the rebuild and renovations to the long-term care home have been completed.  All beds have been updated to type “A” classification and the new facility now includes 39 private beds and 26 basic beds.   Additional accommodations on campus include 34 affordable supportive housing seniors’ apartments and future plans for assisted living suites.

The completion of the new multi-generational community hub provides a place to bring together health and social services in a rural setting.  The Ministry of Health and Long Term Care, the South West Local Health Integration Network, the County of Huron, and Blue Water Rest Home have worked together to develop health and social service programs under one roof to serve the local community.