There's concern in Tavistock after talks about relocating a local long-term care facility re-surfaced.
Earlier this week, the owners Bonnie Brae Health Care Centre submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Health to relocate 80 beds to a newly-built facility in London
Diane Riach, who was visiting her father at the facility says, "It's really hard to see this leg of their life and to see them in this situation."
The long term care home is listed as a D-facility and is in dire need of upgrades. The future of the facility has been in doubt since a change in management earlier this year.
CTV contacted the management of Bonnie Brae but no one from the home was available to discuss it on the weekend.
The town's mayor Don McKay says the loss would be devastating to Tavistock, "Small community, vibrant retail, commercial downtown, taking out over 100 jobs and all the traffic that comes with having a long-term care facility," McKay says.
If the Ministry approves the proposal the move could happen in as little as two years. McKay says he'll work with the Ministry to add beds to the other two facilities in town.
peopleCare in Tavistock is a 100 bed long term care home that first opened in 1968. Chief Operating Officer Elaine Shantz says they would welcome the addition of more beds to their facility.
"We certainly would welcome the opportunity to, through the Ministry of Health, to be able to add some additional beds as part of our redevelopment program," she says.
What would happen to the staff at Bonne Brae is still unclear. OPSEU union chair Joan Corraderri said some may choose to move to London
"There are some that really can't do that drive or don't have access to a vehicle," Corraderri says.
