MARATHON — Construction of a new, 14-bed long-term care unit is underway.
A press conference was held Friday, officially marking the project, which features an addition to the Wilson Memorial General Hospital in Marathon.
Construction of the new long-term care home comes as part of the provincial government’s commitment to “build more than 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds” in communities across the province.
However, as Marathon Mayor Rick Dumas pointed out, this new facility is part of a larger plan between the municipality and the North of Superior Healthcare Group (NOSH).
“Back in 2015, we started a process with NOSH — chief executive officer Adam Brown, our chief administrative officer Daryl Skworchinski, and myself — [recognizing] we needed a supportive housing complex here in Marathon,” said Dumas. “So we went ahead, we worked it all out [and] got some support from the federal and provincial governments to develop a 36-unit supportive housing complex.”
From that initial planning stage to construction, the 36-unit facility opened it’s doors in 2018.
“This is the next step,” said Dumas.
The new facility will be attached and fully integrated into the hospital's infrastructure to create a campus of care that can meet a much wider range of needs.
“We won’t have to… have our residents travel outside of town,” said Dumas. “It really impacts families when you have individuals that are having to leave to support a loved one — a family member: father, mother, grandparent — in another community.
"So now, we hope to provide those services right here in our community for individuals that live here.”
The home will feature a ‘modernized’ design, including dining and activity areas, lounges and, of course, bedrooms.
A cultural space will also be included to accommodate Indigenous residents’ ceremonial and healing practices.
“Great news for the community,” said Dumas. “Hats off to all of the hard work that Adam Brown and his team have done and, of course, thanks to the provincial government for help funding this facility that’s going to be beneficial to all residents within Marathon — and our neighbouring First Nations community [Biigtigong Nishnaabeg and Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg] who utilize all of our healthcare facilities as well.”
In a statement released to the media echoing Dumas’ remarks, Brown said that the new facility will allow NOSH to “better serve the growing senior population in our communities, by increasing access to the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual care residents need, close to the comfort and support of their families and friends.”
As aging Ontarians face a median wait time of 123 days for placement in long-term care, this new facility is meant to help alleviate some of the strain in Marathon and the region.
The home is expected to finish construction and start welcoming its first residents in summer 2025.
