Donwood celebrates completion of building project

Winnipeg

Donwood Manor is owned and operated by the Mennonite Brethren Geriatric Association of Metro Winnipeg Inc., supported by nine Winnipeg MB churches. Donwood Manor Personal Care Home is the original facility of four Donwood facilities in Winnipeg. Opened in 1970, it provided 81 beds and was funded by Manitoba Health.

The building project began in February, 1995 and was completed in November, 1996. The addition provides room for an additional 40 beds for a total of 121 beds. The square footage was nearly doubled from 37,682 sq. ft. to 68,365 sq. ft.

The renovations to the existing building brought the facilities up to 1995 standards including: single bathrooms for resident rooms, satellite dining on each unit, a nursing station with conference rooms, a unit with wanderway and enclosed courtyard for residents with Alzheimer's disease and an activity room for each unit.

A respite program was begun where elderly people from the community are admitted for a short time to give relief to the caregiver. To prevent residents from wandering off the premises, the doors are alarmed so staff can redirect the residents. Residents who are at risk for wandering wear a bracelet that triggers the alarm.

Two outdoor courtyards were added. A family sitting room was also added with a fireplace and a window featuring glass etching based on a drawing by local artist Ray Dirks. Several decorative renovations were also done.

The project cost $8.741 million, $8.6 million of which came from the Manitoba government. The remaining cost was covered by major donors such as The Winnipeg Foundation, The Thomas Sill Foundation, DeFehr Foundation, C.P. Loewen Family Foundation, Kroeker Farms and Donwood Women's Auxiliary.

Provincial and city politicians were on hand for the ceremony including Minister of Health Jim McCrae, Minister of Family Services Bonnie Mitchelson and Minister of Housing Jack Reimer.

Kevin Heinrichs

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