While he sympathizes with families connected to Tilbury Manor, a local MPP is voicing his support for changes to long term care in Tilbury.
The owner of Tilbury Manor is planning to close the home and move its 75 beds to a new, expanded facility in Belle River.
Many in the community have expressed outrage at the move, saying it will separate families. But Conservative MPP Rick Nicholls say while it is an unfortunate situation for everyone involved, the building is 50 years old and no longer up to code.
“Their hallways are too narrow, the door openings are too small,” Nicholls says. “Obviously Arch Corporation made a decision to move that facility, but they did look in many different places to find properties for the right building, and they found it in Belle River, which is unfortunate for Tilbury.”
Nicholls says he’s been in talks with another business that might be interested in building a new facility in Tilbury, but nothing’s been decided at this point.
“There may be an opportunity where this particular business, they build another one of those long term care facilities. But people have to understand it takes time to do that, to put forth a business plan to the Long Term Care Ministry, as well as secure land.
This one company does have land, but it could take three years by the time you get the approvals and there’s money in the budget. There’s so many hurdles to overcome.”
Nicholls says the provincial license for the 75 beds in Tilbury are set to expire in three years anyway, and would not be renewed under current long-term care regulations.