The Saugeen Hospice group is ready to move forward with construction.
According to the group, nearly $8 million of the $10 million fundraising goal has been raised, so the board has approved moving forward with construction. Board member Ken Brown says the hospice will be located in northeast Walkerton, behind the Best Western and OPP detachment on land donated by the Municipality of Brockton.
"There's about three and a half acres, and it all faces north so each bedroom, each residents room will have a complete view of northern exposure with no trees or buildings. It's going to be quite impressive," Brown shared.
The same architect that designed Chapman House, G.M. Diemert Architect Inc., has designed the Saugeen Hospice building.
Eleanor Locke, board member and Chair of the Fundraising Committee, says they're very excited, and so many different fundraisers over the years have helped make this possible, including five annual ones they've done.
"The hike for hospice is the first Sunday of every May. We also had golf for hospice, saddle up for hospice, the garage sale which is huge, that's usually over like three days. Of course we also have cycle or bike for hospice," Locke said.
In addition to those annual fundraisers, many of the surrounding communities and organizations in the region have stepped forward with donations from events they've held. That includes local seniors groups, hockey teams and other sports organizations, and loads of individual donations over the years.
Brown says the building will offer plenty of comfort for residents and families. There are skylight windows that allow natural sunlight into all the rooms, and a visiting area for family and friends where beds can be rolled out for residents. There will also be a large parking lot with over 50 spaces, as well as four horse stalls, among many other built-in comforts for the rooms.
"There's seven rooms, and we have partial funding for six rooms but we're putting a seventh rotational room in for greater efficiency. Each room is soundproofed and has its own air purification system," added Brown.
There rooms all have what are called cuddle beds, which are single beds that are electric and can raise and lower, but also transform into a double bed to allow family members to cuddle with loved ones.
The journey to the hospice started over 11 years ago when the provincial government gave approval for six beds in the area. For over five years now, the Saugeen Hospice group has been working diligently to make the building a reality. Part of that work, as Locke points out, was educating everyone on the differences between hospice care and hospital care when someone is at the end of life, and why having a hospice is such a big deal.
"The priorities of hospice is number one, dignity for the patient, comfort and quality of life, and it's actually personalized care in a comfortable, home-like setting. So 24/7 care, especially for pain management," Locke noted.
Construction should begin this summer with the hospice ready for residents in winter of 2028. Brown notes that this fundraising effort is just to make the building a reality and get things going, but they will need funds to keep operations going in the future, so any donations now or in the future would be greatly appreciated.
More information and ways to donate can be found on saugeenhospice.ca.
