New improvements on the way
After revealing to South Dundas Council that Dundas Manor received a “C” designation due to inefficient designs, new plans were presented to replace the current aging structure by the year 2025, and a funding request was made to council.

MORRISBURG – South Dundas council members were quite busy during the Nov. 18 meeting held at the municipal building in Morrisburg. In addition to the more routine matters and reports to be considered, two presentations were made to council for financial funding.

President and CEO of Winchester District Memorial Hospital and Dundas Manor Long-Term Care Home Cholly Boland, and Bill Smirle, chair of the Dundas Manor board, made a presentation to council outlining the history of the Dundas Manor Long-Term Care Home, its role in the local community and plans to build a new building to increase the level of senior care.

Dundas Manor opened its doors in 1978 with 60 beds growing to its current 98 bed size in the 1990s, with no increase in support service areas as it grew in size. During the presentation it was disclosed that Dundas Manor received a “C” designation due to its inefficient and ineffective design, with plans to replace the current aging structure with a new building by 2025. Smirle explained in the new 128 bed building, there would be a maximum of two residents per room and described the residents of Dundas Manor as the builders of our local communities. 

The cost of the new two-storey 128 bed building was estimated to be over $30-million dollars with the government providing two-thirds of that amount, with the remaining one-third or $10-11 million dollars to be raised locally. South Dundas was asked to provide five hundred thousand dollars in funding for the construction of the new Dundas Manor, with Mayor Steven Byvelds mentioning the request will be considered during the upcoming 2020 budget deliberations. Around the council table there was agreement that something needed to be done to improve the quality of living for the residents.

Beyond 21 is an organization that provides adults with developmental disabilities the chance to participate in social, educational and recreational activities after they complete their schooling at age 21. A presentation to South Dundas by the Beyond 21 Foundation requested funding of any amount for the development of a centre on Pitt Street in Cornwall. This centre will continue the work previously done at the Cumberland Street site by providing an accessible and safe area for community connections, participation in home skill development programs and leisure activities such as bowling, martial arts, etc. Byvelds told the presenters the request would be considered at the upcoming budget deliberations.

Following the conclusion of the two presentations, council began the business portion of the meeting which included renewing the agreement with the Morrisburg and District Lions Club to operate the Docksyde canteen at the waterfront for two more years. Ethan Robert was appointed as the deputy-clerk in South Dundas and committee reports were presented to council.