IOOF Seniors Homes celebrates grand opening of accessible garden walkway

(Barrie, ON – Wednesday, October 2, 2024) The IOOF Seniors Homes celebrated the grand opening of the newly re-constructed outdoor garden walkway at the IOOF’s Heritage Place supportive housing facility (20 Brooks Street, Barrie). This $130,000 project was funded in part by the Government of Canada's Enabling Accessibility Fund through a generous $51,784 grant provided by Employment and Social Development Canada and the IOOF Seniors Homes Inc.

IOOF residents, staff, and Board Members were joined by Mayor Nuttal and Councillor Harris from the City of Barrie, Sarah-Jane Taylor on behalf of Minister John Brassard, and Katherine Chabot on behalf of Minister Andrea Khanjin who presented greetings to attendees.

Assisted living residents at Heritage Place enjoy the beautifully constructed and accessible walkway that allows those with reduced mobility to benefit from the health and well-being effects of the outdoors.

“The ribbon cutting ceremony celebrates the importance of ensuring that the IOOF is able to continue investing in accessible outdoor spaces for our residents to enjoy social activities, exercising, and access to the gardens who may otherwise be isolated because of mobility restrictions,” Garry C. Hopkins, CEO, IOOF Seniors Homes.

The IOOF Seniors Homes also celebrated a milestone 30-year anniversary of the construction of the Heritage Place facility in Allandale with a special reception for residents following the grand opening of the newly renovated walkway.

In addition, on Thursday, September 26th at the Terraces at Heritage Square (IOOF Seniors Homes), the IOOF welcomed Mayor Alex Nuttal and Councillor Morales from the City of Barrie, Lana Barkan on behalf of Minster Andrea Khanjin, and Sarah-Jane Taylor on behalf of Minister John Brassard to celebrate the 20th anniversary of opening the facility. Built in 2004, ‘The Terraces at Heritage Square’ is a 161 condo-style apartment facility and services pavilion, based upon the Life-Lease purchase option and is home to many seniors in our community.

Thank you to those who attended the grand opening ceremony and anniversary events to help celebrate the IOOF Seniors Homes and the importance of services provided to seniors in the community.

The IOOF has embarked on their largest capital redevelopment campaign to expand the long- term care facility (10 Brooks Street, Barrie). The project will create sixty-four new long-term care beds and sixty-six upgraded beds, with modern spaces, updated equipment, private rooms, and increased square footage. When completed, the long-term care home will be a 226-bed facility.

Caring is our reason for being...IOOF Seniors Homes Inc. (IOOF) is a not-for-profit organization, currently operating several facilities located in Barrie, Ontario, and has been serving the needs of Ontario residents for over 100 years. The IOOF provides exemplary accommodation, programs, and health care services to residents through an effective continuum of support that promotes independence and well-being through the latter stages of life.