The construction costs for many projects continue to be revised upwards and this is also the case for the various government homes for seniors, including those present in the Estrie region.
• Read also: Visit to the construction sites of the Alma seniors' home
The Minister responsible for Seniors and Caregivers, Marguerite Blais, was on Thursday to visit the construction site of the new house, which will have 120 rooms.
The initial project, estimated at $75 million, is now approaching $80 million. Asked about it, she did not appreciate the question.
“I have a lot of difficulty with this question and I will explain why. If we built with the private sector, it would cost less, but it would last 30 years. We build with the best materials so that it lasts in 75 and 100 years. This is the big difference,” said the Minister.
Since 2021, the government has canceled several tenders in order to pay a little less.
But bad surprise, the second submissions sent a few months later by the bidders are revised upwards.
As for the Granby house, the initial costs of $31 million rose to $36 million, an increase of 17%.
In Coaticook, prices have also increased, going from $32 million to $35 million. And the labor shortage issues continue.
With the creation of new places for seniors in Quebec, the lack of personnel could play a very bad trick.
“We plan according to our capacity to be sure that it goes well. You have to take the time to properly welcome, train and plan the organization of work, which will be totally different to focus on the needs of residents,” added the assistant director of accommodation at the Integrated University Health and Social Services Center. (CIUSSS) of Estrie-CHUS, Anick Villeneuve.
The seniors' home in Sherbrooke should welcome its first residents in November 2022.
“The priority here is to create units of 12 people who can function in community and continue to maintain their intellectual or physical strength.
That's what's great about this project,” said the acting mayor of the City of Sherbrooke, Raïs Kibonge.
