The new Prescott and Russell Residence in Hawkesbury is nearing completion and will soon be ready for pre-occupancy inspection.
On Thursday, April 25, Project Manager Andrew Rodrigues told United Counties of Prescott and Russell (UCPR) council that physical construction is 93 per cent complete on the 193,000 square foot facility, which will have 224 beds. The Spence Avenue complex now has permanent electricity serving it and the gas line is to be connected in May. Rodrigues said they are currently focusing on commissioning equipment inside the building. A mandatory pre-occupancy inspection by the Ministry of Long-Term Care will occur during the summer before the first residents can move in this fall.
“The whole building has to be what they call “hotel ready,” Rodrigues said.
“This is where the bulk of our efforts are focused right now,” he explained.
Rodrigues said the construction loan for the project will be converted to a long-term loan sometime this year. He said furniture and fixtures are currently being procured for expected deliveries in mid-July.
Cost pressures on the project have included furniture, fixtures and equipment, which are responsible for the $2.8 million increase in the estimated total cost.
Initially, the cost of the new long-term care residence was projected to be $90 million, but that has increased to $92.8 million.
The UCPR has financed the construction of the new Prescott and Russell Residence through Infrastructure Ontario, the public works project financing branch of the Ontario government. The term of the loan will be 25 years.
