The Town of The Blue Mountains is pleased to announce a significant partnership with peopleCare Communities to enable the development of a new long-term care (LTC) home in the Craigleith area on a section of the former Tee’s Please property.

This collaboration is a positive step towards fulfilling the community’s long-standing need for increased access to LTC to meet the needs of local seniors and their families.

Through the partnership, peopleCare will purchase three acres of the 18-acre Town-owned land to build the new LTC home, which will provide care and services for up to 192 people.

The new LTC home will ease waitlist pressures on existing LTC homes in the area and lessen the burden on local hospitals for those who need acute care. In addition, the new LTC home will create jobs providing an economic boost and benefit to the local economy and will provide opportunities for innovative community partnerships to enhance senior care, programs and related services.

The importance of increasing access to LTC in the Town has been a long-standing community priority as ranked in the 2022 and 2024 Resident Satisfaction Surveys. Recognizing the strategic value of the property, locating the new LTC home on the former Tee’s Please property is complementary to other potential future uses and recreation amenities that can help build a complete community in the Craigleith area.

This project has been made possible through Council’s commitment to work with peopleCare to identify potential sites and paths forward to build a LTC home. The Town is committed to ensuring full transparency through the land sale and planning process for this development.
The conditional purchase and sale agreement is being targeted for an open session of Council in June 2025. After the land sale is finalized, peopleCare will submit a planning application and undertake the planning process, which includes amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning By-law, and opportunities for public engagement through open house meetings and a formal public meeting. Once these public processes are concluded, the home will be subject to Site Plan Control before a building permit is issued.

A project webpage, including an FAQ document, has been launched to provide transparency and information related to the project. For details, visit: www.thebluemountains.ca/LTC

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“This partnership marks a significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to provide comprehensive long-term care solutions to our community,” said Mayor Andrea Matrosovs. “The significant investment by peopleCare Communities will also create jobs and boost the local economy. Council is committed to working collaboratively with peopleCare as we advance this project.”

“Following Council direction, staff continued discussions with peopleCare to find a suitable location for a long-term care home in the Town,” explained Interim CAO Adam Smith. “peopleCare has been committed to listening and responding to public feedback and Town staff are looking forward to working with their team to ensure that the home aligns community expectations and that the project is successfully completed”

“peopleCare is fully committed to meeting the urgent need for long-term care in Ontario and we appreciate this opportunity to build a beautiful new modern LTC home in the vibrant Town of The Blue Mountains,” says peopleCare Chairman and CEO Brent Gingerich. “We thank the Town and Council for their continued support and we look forward to increasing local seniors housing and care capacity, building partnerships and creating good jobs.”

“Building a long-term care home with such close proximity to the Village completely aligns with our focus on transforming experiences and creating vibrant intergenerational communities where seniors and their families can thrive,” says peopleCare President Megan Allen-Lamb. “Imagine local seniors receiving the care they need, while also experiencing wonderful amenities and recreational opportunities that support their wellbeing and vitality. That’s what peopleCare’s new long-term care home in the Town of The Blue Mountains will deliver.”

About peopleCare Communities 
peopleCare is a Canadian, family owned and mission-driven leading developer and operator of senior living communities, with strong values and a 57-year history of service. We currently manage and operate nine senior living communities in Ontario, inclusive of long-term care (LTC), retirement, assisted living and memory care. peopleCare’s innovation and leadership has earned Accreditation Canada Exemplary Status and Canada’s Best Managed Companies Platinum designation. Our vision is to change the world of senior living with a focus on transforming experiences, designing vibrant communities, innovating for tomorrow, and having a lasting positive impact in our communities and beyond. Learn more at https://www.peoplecare.ca

Photo is for illustrative purposes.