People who live in the St. Paul area, and who plan on getting older, might want to offer some input into future plans for Sunnyside Manor.
Representatives from TBD Architecture will be on hand at information sessions September 12 to find out what the community wants to see in an upgraded lodge. The M.D. of St. Paul Foundation, which operates Sunnyside Manor, has already had such sessions with residents and staff.
“We’re looking for the public to give us their input on what they want to see — maybe today for their loved ones that are in there, what they want to see for their family members maybe in five years, and what maybe they want to see for themselves,” said the foundation’s chief administrative officer Brigitte Sakaluk.
Sakaluk says the concept of aging in community is taking on ever-greater importance. People enjoy better health and a better quality of life as they age if they are able to live in their home communities.
Sunnyside Manor is an important part of the community; an expanded and improved lodge will be able to serve residents well for years to come—if it’s done right, Sakaluk said.
“TBD Architecture will be leading conversations in the community about what the desired amenities and design preferences would be. We’re looking at ‘what does somebody in 30 years time want?’
“Aging in community means having the health and social support and services needed to live safely and independently in your home or community for as long as you wish and are able. And basically the lodge becomes your home,” she said.
“It’s also part of the community because of that. So it is important for people of all ages to create a plan to help ensure the health and social support service for them and their loved ones, when and where they’re needed. Making choices ahead of time will give the residents of their communities greater control over their independence, quality of life and dignity. I don’t know how else to put it.”
Sunnyside Manor currently has 113 units. Sakaluk says 51 of them are too small, and some of the building’s amenities are not suitable for their purpose. “The building is just not big enough,” she said.
Not only is the existing structure inadequate for its present needs, the M.D. of St. Paul Foundation has to prepare for a growing population of older people.
After a needs assessment is complete and specific requirements identified, the foundation will be seeking funding from various sources for construction and operation of the improved facility. This will involve new construction as well as possibly upgrading the existing building.
“Part of it would be newly built. And we might then keep a couple of the existing wings that are newer,” Sakaluk said. “But there’s more to come on that. The design is not complete.”
Maureen Miller, the foundation’s board chair and mayor of the Town of St. Paul, said the Covid-19 pandemic drew a lot of people’s attention to shortcomings in seniors’ housing. She said
there are good examples of how to do things better.
“The crisis of Covid and looking at seniors’ complexes immediately during that process has just shifted what is to be expected of us as we build going into the future,” Miller said. “It was probably good that that reset happened, because we were in the planning process before Covid. So to have a restart and re-visualize how this should and could look was meant to be for sure.
“We saw some amazing facilities within Alberta. The newer facilities are built for activity. They’re airy, they’re bright, it doesn’t feel or look like a seniors’ complex at all.”
Sakaluk says people who foresee a need for their families or themselves — in the near term or years down the road — should offer their input at the September 12 sessions.
“If you are looking ahead to make a choice for yourself or for your family members to have greater independence, [you] should be there. It impacts everyone. We will all have to make a decision,” she said.
“People at 50 aren’t thinking about where they’re going to be in
25 years, but they may need the use of this facility.”
Sunnyside residents, guests, and staff roll with the weather
It was rainy. Then the sun came out. Then it clouded over. More rain was in the forecast. Then more sunshine.
Uncertain weather makes planning a barbecue difficult! Eventually the staff at Sunnyside Manor had to make the call to move August 24’s family barbecue indoors.
The dining room was a bit crowded, but all 270 people who attended—including 112 residents and their guests—had a good time. Staff made sure there was plenty of good food, and live entertainment was provided by local band County Express.
“It is a big group effort,” said Sunnyside Manor’s activity director Pam Bohn. “We have housekeeping and all of our kitchen staff and maintenance staff and our managers and everybody in the activities. So it’s everybody.”
Bohn said the annual barbecue is popular amongst residents and guests.
“For those who enjoy the social gatherings, they get very excited about being able to invite guests into their home and share a little bit of space and spend time with them,” she said.
