Major stimulus project announced for Springfield

RM to partner with Dugald Place Co-op to bring 1st assisted living residence to Springfield

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – July 21, 2020 -- DUGALD, MANITOBA –  A new $15M, 50-unit Assisted Living residence is closer to reality with the announcement today of a partnership between the RM of Springfield and the Dugald Place Non-Profit Housing Co-op Ltd.

“The RM of Springfield is proud to partner with Dugald Place to create quality housing for Springfield seniors that will also create 10 new jobs,” said Springfield Mayor Tiffany Fell “This major stimulus project is moving ahead despite an economic downturn due to the pandemic.”  Support from the RM to make the Dugald Place assisted living project possible includes:

·       a $2.15M investment in Dugald water system upgrades which will ensure the new building will be fully sprinklered (cost co-shared municipal/ provincial/ federal funds)

·       donation of .75 acres of land added to original 3.8 acres that facilitates the Dugald Place co-location with Dugald Estates,

·       $280,000 extension of Jaffray Street in 2015.

·       reduction in development fees and levies in recognition of the long-term tax and economic benefits, as well as job creation, that will come from the project. 

“There is a strong demand for seniors and assisted living housing in Springfield,” said Mayor Tiffany Fell, “but, currently, there is no assisted living residence here.  We commend this volunteer group for the work they are doing to fill that gap, for their vision, their determination and their hard work in meeting the needs of our community.”

Dugald Place is a new Assisted Living Residence, planned to start construction in 2021.  It will be a 3-storey mix of 8 studio plus 42 1-bedroom units designed to provide community lifestyle living and bright spacious suites with weekly light housekeeping and recreation services.  The Main Floor common area plans call for luxurious, modern amenity areas including full-service kitchen and dining area, fitness centre, café, bar, theater and games rooms for a full day’s or evening’s activities or quiet time in the library.  Organizers hope to attract an on-site satellite pharmacy/medical clinic.

In 2015, members of the Springfield Seniors Non-Profit Housing Co-op (SSNHC) opened the successful $14.5M, 47-unit Dugald Estates independent seniors housing co-op on land donated by the RM of Springfield.  “From the beginning, we had planned 2 phases,” said Dugald Place Co-Chair Lesley Thomson.  “The existing Dugald Estates building was our first project and the proposed Dugald Place assisted living residence is the next step.  The partnership with the RM of Springfield is a key to making our ‘Aging-in-Place’ vision a reality.”  The SSNHC members have recently formed a second co-op, Dugald Place Non-Profit Housing Co-op, to develop the new assisted living project.

As residents age, both in the independent Dugald Estates building and in the Springfield community in general, they require more services and support.  This new facility will allow them to remain within their community in their retirement years, close to their roots and close to their social networks, families and friends. The new building is not limited to seniors but rather will be available to any adult who needs the kinds of support assisted living can provide.

Final costs are still in development, but the group is currently accepting expressions of interest.  Those interested in being on a priority list for the suites can make a $1,000 deposit to be on the waitlist.  A fundraising campaign is also being planned to help reduce the overall cost for future residents.  For further information, as well as deposit forms, go to www.dugaldplace.com. 

For further information please contact:

Lesley Thomson, Co-Chair, Dugald Place Non-Profit Housing Co-op Ltd.

 Cell: (204) 223-2095 

Dugald Place is the next phase of our Aging in Place vision.  We see a ‘village within a village’, a place with several adjacent buildings with various levels of housing and services… places that will be good to live in and grow old in, places that are more like home and less like institutions, places where seniors can move through the continuum of care while remaining in the same community and retaining their social network.