Construction begins on County’s Age in Place concept

Todd Smith, MPP Prince Edward Hastings watches Mayor Peter Mertens receive his hard hat from Kirk Hoppner, Nautical Lands Group President and CEO while Kevin Pidgeon, COO and Paul Rouleau, CFO, look before the ceremonial digging of the sod to start construction.

A sod-turning ceremony has officially launched construction on the first stage of the County’s Age in Place concept.

The County’s Age-in-Place concept envisions a seniors’ community that will encourage active living and integration into the community, while facilitating residents’ transition into increasing levels of assisted living required as they age.

Nautical Lands Group is the first developer selected by the County to purchase municipal lands adjacent to the McFarland Home. Phase one involves the construction of “Wellings of Picton”, a 144-unit residential development located to the northwest of the County nursing home. Initially, 88 units are to be built over the next 18 months, followed by an additional 56 units as part of a second stage of building.

Phase II of the Age in Place concept is to result in the construction of new offices for the Prince Edward Family Health Team on the same site, and could also see additional housing units, medical and para-medical services located on the property.

“As the County has one of the oldest populations in the province, this development will help meet the growing need for seniors’ housing and services. However, the Age-in-Place concept will benefit not only seniors but the community as a whole,” said Mayor Peter Mertens. “The location will provide easy access to local goods and services, while at the same time helping to ease pressures on the hospital and long-term care by providing increasing levels of assisted living.”

Nautical Lands Group president and CEO Kirk Hoppner promises “a wonderful and innovative lifestyle opportunity for mature residents of Prince Edward County” and one that will become common in the future.

Prince Edward Hastings MP Todd Smith said communities across the the riding will be looking to build new long-term care facilities with innovation as there isn’t a lot of provincial funding available.

“Aging at home and hospital at home strategies we are seeing are important to the future of Ontario and this is one that a lot of communities will watch with interest as a model.”

Wellings Place conceptual drawing