NEWS RELEASE
COUNTY OF SIMCOIE
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The County of Simcoe is investing in the development of a new facility in the village of Elmvale that will house a Paramedic Services station and the Long Term Care and Seniors’ Services Adult Day Program Centre for the surrounding area.
“With an aging population and rising paramedic call volumes across the region, we continue to make strategic investments which enable us to expand and enhance our services to meet the needs of our residents and communities,” said Warden Gerry Marshall. “This new dual use facility will serve residents in Springwater, Wasaga Beach, Oro-Medonte, Tiny and Tay for years to come and we thank our partners at Springwater Township for working with us on this important venture.”
The County has acquired 191 Queen Street West in Elmvale. The facility will consist of a two bay Paramedic Services station, allowing the County to expand services to the area and address increased call volumes.
The County has outgrown its current leased space at the Elmvale Fire Hall, which was originally set up for a single paramedic response unit 12-hours per day and is now being used to house a 24-hour, fully staffed paramedic transport unit. This space no longer meets the operational needs of Paramedic Services and is anticipated to be used by Springwater Fire.
The Adult Day Program Centre will enable the County to expand its current program operating out of leased space at the Manse of St-John’s United Church in Elmvale. The new space will allow for an increase in capacity and reduce the existing waitlists for the program.
The County’s Adult Day Program operates in Penetanguishene and Elmvale and provides daytime respite, support, education and activities for families and caregivers. Potential clients for the program are referred through a variety of sources such as Community Care Access Centres, program clientele, physicians, friends and relatives.
Construction of the facility is anticipated to commence in late 2018, and be completed in mid-2019. The estimated cost of constructing the facility is $3.9 million, inclusive of land acquisition and construction.
The investment aligns with the County’s Strategic Asset Management Plan to identify cost-efficient projects that align with the County’s long term goals and objectives, including reducing leased/rented spaces in an effort to manage and control long-term costs and provide flexibility to meet service demands.
County of Simcoe is composed of sixteen member municipalities and provides crucial public services to County residents in addition to providing paramedic and social services to the separated cities of Barrie and Orillia. Visit our website at simcoe.ca.
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