Photo by Curtis Galbraith

By Curtis Galbraith

City Hall

Council approves another $3 million for Coordinated Care Campus because of rising costs

Oct 19, 2022 | 6:00 AM

City council has approved another $3 million for the Coordinated Care Campus; the homeless facility going into the former Stonebridge Hotel in Grande Prairie’s north end.

The money is needed so Phase 3 of the project can go to tender

Mayor Jackie Clayton says the money is needed because the cost has gone up that much.

“Supply chain shortages have really driven up the cost. As the average Albertan understands, every time you go to the fuel pump or you go to the grocery store, costs are increasing everywhere we go.”

“Unfortunately, in order for us to get the project done to a level where people are moving in and we can have the expectations and the services that were identified, there are additional funds required.”

Council approved redirecting $1.673 million that was set aside for land acquisition for road projects to pay for this – the rest will come from a reserve fund.

The total cost for the Coordinated Care Campus is now at $22,250,000.

Clayton says the money is needed for several reasons.

“(We can get people) that are living in temporary accommodations into the building, to get the food services prepped, be able to get a number of suites available for the needs of our community.”

“It’s really just an increase in cost based on inflation and supply chain issues.”

Phase 3 of this work involves renovating 43 independent living units plus adding office space for Enforcement Services, Community Social Development, and the Grande Prairie Regional Emergency Partnership – this will now go to tender.

Phase 1 was construction of 63 residential units and Phase 2 is renovation of common areas. That work continues. Some residents that had moved in were moved into temporary accommodations earlier this year.

Council also added $ 3.75 million to the project cost in July.

Clayton says the cost per door for this facility is still a lot less than building a new one.

“We see across the province (that) many municipalities are put into a situation of having and needing to provide these facilities and this facility still, in a cost-per-door situation, is a good financial investment for our community.”

Clayton says this is a care facility, not just one to provide a roof over someone’s head.