Upgrades aim to put seniors’ residence on solid footing
By Robert Frank
Construction workers began demolition work, Nov. 12, to transform a wing of Château Dollard to accommodate the needs of Alzheimer’s patients.
Toronto real estate firm Realty Financial Advisors (RFA) is investing more than $2 million to upgrade the Dollard des Ormeaux eldercare centre, whose previous owners were declared bankrupt, Jan. 27.
“We acquired the property from the receiver in July,” RFA Group vice-president Ben Rodney told The Suburban in an interview.
“We really liked the staff and the services that they provided, so we stepped into a difficult situation by spending money in the right areas,” he explained. “Our group has a lot of experience overcoming these sorts of obstacles.”
As a result, he continued, “there are a lot of positive activities going on at Château Dollard right now.”
Accent on safety
RFA has already put a pull-cord alarm system in residents’ rooms and plans to install new security cameras, fire and smoke alarms to provide additional protection. Rodney said that the new Alzheimer’s wing will get its own dedicated salon and dining area. Landscaping and interiors are also getting a makeover with solid-surface flooring, new paint and lighting, and construction ought to be completed by the end of March.
Château Dollard is one of two Dollard des Ormeaux seniors’ residences previously owned by Liberty Assisted Living, a company that operated a string of troubled seniors residences elsewhere in Quebec and Ontario.
As reported in The Suburban last week, the other seniors’ residence—Château Royal—is currently undergoing emergency renovation.
An exclusive report by The Suburban, Oct. 17, revealed that Quebec Superior Court issued an order authorizing repairs, after building inspectors discovered that moisture had infiltrated Château Royal’s interior walls, which showed signs of extensive mould-like staining.
Rodney said that, in contrast, “Château Dollard was built in 1989 out of concrete. It is so solid that it can be difficult to get cellphone reception inside the building.”
He added that marketing manager Teresa Poce returned to Château Dollard after she learned that the residence was under new management.
“She has been instrumental in generating new leasing activity and reaching out to the community in Dollard des Ormeaux,” he enthused.
Rodney said that eldercare firm Cogir—which court appointed receiver Éric St. Amour of PriceWaterhouse-Coopers hired to run Château Dollard after it was declared bankrupt—will continue to oversee day-to-day operations on behalf of the new owner.
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