A not-for-profit announced Thursday it has entered into an agreement to finance a new 348-bed long-term care home in the Distillery District.
The 13-storey development will be run by The Rekai Centres and constructed at Cherry Place.
The project is the Building Ontario Fund’s first investment. The infrastructure fund, which was launched by Premier Doug Ford to amass private capital for public projects, is providing $176.1 million in construction financing.
"The need for long-term care beds, especially among the city's most vulnerable populations, is critical,” said Sue Graham-Nutter, CEO of The Rekai Centres.
“With the Building Ontario Fund’s financing support, we are delighted to finally be able to expand our capacity and ensure more of our community’s seniors can receive the care and support they deserve," she continued.
Housing Minister Paul Calandra said the province is working to build up Ontario’s long-term care capacity "at an unprecedented rate."
Calandra said the new development is "proof of what is possible when the government and community come together to make dreams a reality.”
The new Rekai Centre "Campus of Care" will be located at Cherry and Front street.
Construction is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2025. The care home is expected to welcome its first residents in December 2027.
Investors and donors are also supporting the project, including the Jackman Foundation, Catherine and Maxwell Meighen Foundation, Ontario Centres for Learning, Research and Innovation in Long-Term Care, George Brown College, LifeLabs and Benjamin Moore.
Dialysis centre
The centre said it will use a "forward-thinking, emotion-based" and community-centred approach to care.
The long-term care home will include a dialysis centre, a four-floor dedicated Alzheimer’s and dementia care unit, an infection control zone, respite care, and lab services.
In partnership with George Brown College, the Rekai Centre for Education will offer classes, workshops and learning experiences to health-care students and professionals.
A community hub will welcome art, music and gatherings to promote cultural engagement and social connection for residents and the waterfront community.
A town hall space will be available for meetings, events and gatherings.
There will also be a green roof where residents and their loved ones can enjoy a children’s play area while soaking in the cityscape or dining outdoors.
In 2022, Rekai introduced a 25-bed Rainbow Wing to its Wellesley Place home that offers "culturally competent care" to members of the LGBTQ+ community, and the same will be offered at Rekai's second Rainbow Wing at Cherry Place.
The Rekai Centres has operated in Toronto since the 1950s and currently operates two long-term care homes offering a combined 276 beds in downtown Toronto at Sherbourne Place and Wellesley Place.
