About 100 people peppered Mary McDougall, president of Trellis Seniors Services, consultant Angela Letman and other stakeholders with questions about the company’s proposed long-term care facility, at a public information meeting held virtually on June 3.
The controversial project, also known as the Silverstone Care Centre, is slated to be built on property fronting Derby Road in West Sechelt. Zoning and OCP amendments have received unanimous first reading from District of Sechelt Council.
Despite the controversial nature of the project, Mary McDougall said based on referrals so far, the project has received a “broad level of support.”
Three community associations provided feedback, with issues related to OCP compliance matters regarding park dedications, traffic and parking. The site plan will have parking 45 stalls, which complies with the bylaw requirement, and a traffic study did not highlight traffic issues.
At least two signs were held in front of computer cameras referencing ongoing objections to privately managed long-term care facilities, with one reading “seniors are not for profit” and another reading “no to private care.”
One person asked how Trellis will “keep the same level of care we’ve had from public facilities, in terms of staff training and pay in a for-profit environment. Where will you make the profit?”
McDougall said the centre will be licensed and must comply with B.C. adult care regulations. Care workers will be paid according to the same terms and conditions as at a public facility, she said, adding that a contract with VCH includes payment for services, such as staffing, food and supplies, and also includes a provision for ongoing maintenance of the building and grounds, including furnishings and equipment.
She said facility owners and operators receive a daily rate for providing the services and the asset rental, and VCH determined Silverstone’s daily rate in 2015 following a public call for proposals.
Questions were also raised about the number of beds available, since the Sunshine Coast Hospice Society would no longer be partnering with Trellis – a decision announced by the hospice society earlier that day.
McDougall said currently the contract with VCH is for 125 beds, and up to 11 additional beds would be offered privately unless VCH requests otherwise.
In the wake of COVID-19, several questions were asked about the facility’s ability to manage the spread of disease.
McDougall said staff are still required to stay at a single site, and that the facility will have private rooms, which reduces transmission rates. “The project has been designed to best practice for standards in infection control management,” she said.
At least two questions about transit options were raised. The Sunshine Coast Regional District has already asked that a bus pullout be added to the site, and Letman confirmed that BC Transit has made the request for a stop to be added at the front. The developers “will work with transit folks to get as much service as possible” to the facility, she said.
When asked about a dedicated shuttle to deliver people to Sechelt’s downtown core, McDougall said a shuttle would be arranged, but the focus will be to “bring the community into Trellis,” since most residents will be “at a very clinically complex and frail stage of life, and few if any could participate in outings.”
People can send in comments about the proposed project until June 12. A comment form can be found at: http://trellisseniors.ca/silverstone-care/
A general information brochure has also been published on the Trellis website that answers questions raised during the meeting: www.trellis.ca/silverstone-care/
If the application is approved, McDougall said, it could take approximately two years to complete the project.
