Town Council discusses possible Crestview Lodge construction

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Pincher Creek's Town Council discussed the future of Crestview Lodge at their meeting on Monday, January 10, 2012.

In 2009 a facility evaluation of Crestview Lodge in Pincher Creek was performed.  It was determined at that time that this seniors centre no longer met current supportive living standards.  In 2011 an architectural firm was commissioned to undertake a study analyzing the cost effectiveness of renovating the current structure weighed against building a new one.

Crestview Lodge recently celebrated 50 years

"We would be spending the same money with renovating an old structure," said Councillor Roy Smyth, summing up the architectural findings.  Mayor Ernie Olsen concurred. "The cost for a new building versus renovating, the difference is 200,000 dollars," he said.  "When you're talking in the 10, 12, 14 million dollar range, 200,000 dollars is nothing."  Mayor Olsen and Councillor Smyth both sit on the Board of the Pincher Creek Foundation, which manages Crestview Lodge.

Councillor Smyth explained the current plan involves tearing down the old structure and building the new one in stages, hopefully minimizing the impact on Crestview residents. "What we've envisioned now is to keep part of it going while we are building the new one, and then build it so the entrance is on a level piece of ground and not the way it is now.  We want to correct that," he said.

According to the preliminary report by Berry Architecture and Associates, to build the 18,192 square-foot main floor would cost $3,911,194.60.  To build a 15,608 square-foot second floor would cost an additional $3,355,758.68.  Both floors were estimated at a cost of $215 a square foot. Demolishing the existing structure would cost an estimated $75,000.

Including other costs associated with construction, the final tally for a new 50-bed facility was estimated at $10,081,993.18. Estimates were also given for building a 45 and a 65 bed facility.

Councillor Wayne Oliver questioned why the Town's portion of the proposal is less than the MD's portion. "It's an equalized assessment," answered Smyth.  Our funding formula is based on our  taxes.  The MD has a lot more property that is taxable then we have.  I did some phoning on this, and every Lodge south of Red Deer that is in a construction phase is based on that same formula.  If we were to deviate from that we would need Ministerial approval," he said, before clarifying his statement.  "There was only one Lodge south of Red Deer that isn't, and that's the Strathmore area, where the rural municipality won't contribute a dime, which is sad."

Councillor Oliver also questioned part of the proposal that suggested the project might be eligible for 75% funding from the Provincial Government. "Prices are based on a 75% grant.  How would you know if you're eligible for the 75%?  Wayne Oliver.  "I think they're dreaming," said Smyth.  "We don't perceive spending any money until we get a grant," he clarified.  "When you're planning for something like this, we just can't have a new Lodge overnight, we have to plan ahead."

Under this plan the atrium area of Crestview Lodge would be the first part of the existing structure to be demolished for new construction.  The kitchen area would stay in service until the new kitchen was built. "At the end of the process the whole building would be brand new?" asked Councillor Don Anderberg.  "That's the way they are planning it," answered Councillor Smyth.  "The way they are planning it, there would only be one time, a short period of time, when two couples might have to be moved to another room," clarified Mayor Olsen.

The rest of the time residents would be able to stay in their rooms until there are new quarters for them in the new facilility.

After much discussion, Council voted to provide a letter of support for the project to the Pincher Creek Foundation, which manages Crestview Lodge.

The MD of Pincher Creek Council has placed the Crestview Lodge renovation/construction issue on its list of top priorities for 2012, as mentioned at their regular meeting on January 10, 2012.