Groundbreaking held for Carveth Care Centre redevelopment in Gananoque
Under warm temperatures and breezy spring conditions Friday afternoon, provincial and municipal officials gathered in Gananoque to officially break ground on the redevelopment of Carveth Care Centre, a project that will modernize and expand long-term care services in the community with 104 upgraded beds.
A ceremonial ribbon-cutting and groundbreaking event was attended by Ontario Minister of Long-Term Care Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Gananoque Mayor John Beddows, and other community leaders and project partners. Municipal officials at the event highlighted the importance of expanded long-term care capacity and modernized facilities for seniors and families in the region.
The redevelopment is being supported through the province’s Capital Funding Program and is part of Ontario’s broader effort to expand and modernize long-term care infrastructure across the province.
“Our government is improving long-term care by building more homes, hiring more staff and making historic investments to support families and protect their loved ones,” Kusendova-Bashta said. “Once construction is complete, 104 residents in the Gananoque community will have a modern home where they can receive the care they need, when they need it.”
The project will redevelop the existing facility in four construction phases, with completion expected in early 2029.
Plans for the upgraded home include three resident home areas featuring dedicated dining and activity spaces, lounges and bedrooms. Renovations will also include larger bedrooms, separate bathroom facilities, upgraded staff service areas, a modernized kitchen and an expanded administrative wing.
According to the province, the redevelopment is expected to support approximately 215 jobs, including about 45 construction positions and 170 permanent full-time roles in nursing, personal support work, nutrition services, programming, and administration.
Lisa Gibson-Burgess of Gibson Family Health Care said the project is intended to build on a decades-long legacy of care in the community.
“This redevelopment is about more than a new building, it is about creating a home for residents, a supportive workplace for staff, and a welcoming gathering place for families for generations to come,” Gibson-Burgess said.
She noted the Gibson family has been involved in long-term care in the area for more than 65 years.
Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark said the project marks the fifth long-term care home being built or redeveloped in Leeds and Grenville under the provincial government’s current long-term care expansion strategy.
“Congratulations to Gibson Family Health Care as we break ground on the expansion of Carveth Care Centre,” Clark said. “With these 104 new beds in Gananoque, we’re continuing to deliver on our commitment to ensure the seniors who raised families here can find care close to their community.”
Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.