The Prescott and Russell Residence will be moving to its new location in Hawkesbury in the fall of 2024, rather than the spring as originally scheduled.
According to Residence Administrator Éric Larocque, the reason for the delay is due to slight construction delays, anticipated challenges during the summer, and delivery of equipment. Larocque said the Ministry of Long-Term Care’s timeline for approval of the project for habitation also plays a role.
“We will proceed with the safety of our residents in mind and to assure the success of this major event,” Larocque said.
Construction of the new 193,000 square foot long-term care facility owned and operated by the United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) began during the winter of 2021. The new facility is located on Spence Avenue in Hawkesbury and will replace the current 84,000 square foot Residence on Cartier Boulevard which opened in 1977. The new Prescott and Russell Residence will have 224 beds, which is 78 beds more than the Cartier Boulevard building.
The projected cost of the new Residence was originally $75.7 million. In April 2023, Colliers, the company managing the project, disclosed the cost had increased by $2.8 million due to expenses associated with furniture, fixtures, equipment, resident lifts, and interest rates. The increased cost remained at $2.8 million as of September, 2023. Larocque said there have been no changes with the budget for the new Residence since that time.
The Prescott and Russell Residence Foundation is also conducting a $1 million “Lift me up!” fundraising campaign to purchase new patient lifts for most of the rooms at the new Residence.
