ALBERTON – The Rev. W.J. Phillips Residence is growing. ERC Concepts Board of Directors, operators of the Alberton facility, announced Friday that four rooms are being added to the Community Care wing of the facility.
Construction started about two weeks ago.
The facility currently has 16 Community Care rooms and 14 Assisted Independent Living apartments.
The expansion is a far cry from ERC Concepts’ long-term objective. Last May the board announced it wanted to grow the Phillips Residence to 45 assisted-living apartments and 35 Community Care rooms, and had obtained a grant to assist with the planning process.
“With help from CMHC and the Island Community Fund we are implementing Phase 1 of a multi-phased expansion plan,” explained Ted Haslam, chair of the ERC Concepts expansion planning committee. “There is a need for Community Care beds in West Prince and there is an even greater need for Assisted Independent Living (AIL) apartments.”
Board chair Connie Rennie said the board has not been able to find a cost-share policy on AIL apartments, but will keep looking.
Haslam said a future expansion focusing on AIL apartments will be considered should government funding be targeted to support the development of apartments with AIL services, “at an affordable cost for seniors with incomes typically found in West Prince.”
Haslam said it will cost less than $100,000 to add on four single rooms. With the exception of a $10,000 grant from the Island Community Fund, financing is being handled internally.
ERC board member responsible for Phase 1 expansion, Hector MacLeod, said the new rooms will be ready for occupancy by summer.