The Parkland Foundation says there are no issues hindering the progress of the construction timetable for the long-awaited replacement facility for Innisfail's aging Autumn Glen Lodge.
On Nov. 8, the foundation issued a media release stating the board of directors has been working closely with provincial government officials to “move the project along.
“The directors have had several positive meetings with the minister and recently signed the Project Charter that outlines all details regarding the construction of the new facility,” said the release.
In June of 2015, just over a month after the provincial election, the new NDP government announced it would honour the previous Progressive Conservative government's pledge to jointly fund with the federal government, construction of the $17.6-million facility, which was announced in Innisfail three months earlier.
However, since that time there have been several public inquiries to board members about the slow progress in getting the project off the ground, said Coun. Heather Taylor, Innisfail council's representative to the Parkland Foundation board. She said the intention of the Nov. 8 news release was to allay any public concerns on the progress of the critically important housing project for seniors.
“Mainly because of the questions we were getting from citizens to find out where we were at with the project because there seemed to be always a delay,” said Taylor. “Now we have set it out and we know exactly where we are headed.”
Taylor added any perceived delays were simply due to the expected time it takes a new government to become knowledgeable about a large capital project the size of the one being planned for seniors in Innisfail and the region.
“That is exactly why,” said Taylor. “They (NDP government) inherited it, and they of course have a different way of doing things, and different bureaucrats also.”
The news release noted the Government of Alberta remains “committed” to funding for a new lodge that will be built on land next to the existing Autumn Glen Lodge, which will continue to operate during construction.
Design work by a selected architect is expected to start in early 2017, with construction to start by the fall of the same year.
“We are positive that most of the major hurdles in beginning this project have been overcome and are looking forward to finally seeing work start on this new home for our lodge residents,” said Connie Huelsman, chair of the foundation, in the news release.
Connie Huelsman, chair of the Parkland Foundation
"We are positive that most of the major hurdles in beginning this project have been overcome and are looking forward to finally seeing work start on this new home for our lodge residents."
