Media Release – Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Ribbon-Cutting Celebrates New Affordable Housing for Seniors in Waterloo

Community Celebrated Two Ribbon Cuttings and Capital Campaign Completion

June 19, 2024, WATERLOO – Parkwood Seniors Community shared that good things do come in threes, with a special event celebrating two ribbon cuttings and a capital campaign announcement on June 11, 2024.

Local government representatives, donors, residents, staff and community members commemorated the official opening of the new Delphine and Lloyd Martin Apartments (Martin Apartments) at Parkwood Seniors Community with a ribbon-cutting for the 90-unit, six-storey building for independent adults, including 28 affordable housing apartments. Under the watchful eyes of the dozens of Parkwood residents – the unofficial site supervisors – the project came in on budget, on time and with no property theft.

“Congratulations and thank you to Parkwood Seniors Community for your commitment to adding more affordable and market-based housing for seniors in Waterloo. The City was pleased to partner with Parkwood, the Region of Waterloo and generous donors across the community to make these new homes available,” stated Mayor Dorothy McCabe. “Housing that meets the needs of people of all ages, abilities and economic backgrounds is welcome. The new Parkwood apartments offer a wide range of programs and services that will help people meet their neighbours and to build community. The City of Waterloo is grateful for your investment in our city.”

 A second ribbon cutting was held at the same time to open Parkwood’s new Living Classroom, in partnership with St. Louis Adult Learning & Continuing Education Centre in preparation of welcoming full-time PSW students, beginning this September. Students will receive hands on training in Parkwood’s Long-Term Care Home and be ready for their new careers by the end of this year.

“The Delphine and Lloyd Martin Apartments welcomed its first resident on March 6, 2024, at 11:30 a.m. The affordable apartments are fully occupied and more than 90 per cent of the apartments are spoken for,” said Elaine Shantz, President and CEO. “This incredible impact is thanks to the response of our community of friends and partners who made the extraordinary possible. When we set our fundraising goal at $7.5 million three years ago, it was our most ambitious capital campaign ever. We are pleased to share that exceeded our goal by raising $7.7 million. This project truly demonstrates community at its best.”

The celebration included an Indigenous Land Blessing offered by Clarence Cachagee of Crow Shield Lodge, and a Prayer of Dedication shared by Ellen Baynton-Walker, Pastor and tenant of the Martin Apartments.

Fairview Parkwood Communities is a not-for-profit, charitable, faith-based organization with two Continuum of Care campuses: Fairview Seniors Community in Cambridge and Parkwood Seniors community in Waterloo. Both campuses are Accredited with Exemplary Standing (LTC, Home and Community Care, Board of Directors), Accreditation Canada’s highest rating and home to nearly 700 residents. We have been recognized as on of ‘Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures’ by Waterstone Human Capital.

Our vibrant campuses offer amenities to support mind, body and spirit, including a Health and Wellness Centre with a warm water therapy pool, and Home and Community Care to support aging in place. Seniors can choose from a full range of housing options including independent living, assisted and supportive living, affordable housing and long-term care.

For more information, visit our websites: www.parkwoodmh.ca and www.fairviewmh.ca.

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Donors and dignitaries opened the new Delphine and Lloyd Martin Apartments at Parkwood Seniors Community on June 11, 2024 with an official ribbon cutting and announcement that the capital campaign had exceeded its goal by raising $7.7 million. Pictured (L-R): Willard Martin;  Dorothy McCabe, Mayor of Waterloo; Jim Erb, Waterloo Region Councilor; Fred Schiedel, Chair, Building Committee; Christine Normandeau, Executive Director, Parkwood Seniors Community;  Marion Good, past Board Chair; Rick Martin, Lloyd Martin and Brad Martin, philanthropists; Bob Shantz, Chair, Board of Directors; Ed Nowak, Co-Chair, Board of Directors; Elaine Shantz, President and CEO; Don Stevanus, President and CEO, VanDel Construction; Jason Martin and Greg Piccini, Martin Simmons Sweers Architects, and Karen Martin.

Official ribbon cutting of the Len and Brenda Jewitt Living Classroom at Parkwood Seniors Community. The new classroom will welcome its first cohort of full-time PSW students in September, 2024. Pictured (L-R) Steve Pawelko, Director, People and Operational Services, Fairview Parkwood Communities; Lisa Mackay, Principal, St. Louis School of Continuing Education Centres; Brenda and Len Jewitt, philanthropists; Annalisa Varano, Superintendent of Education, Waterloo Catholic District School Board; and Paul Cox, Executive Director, The Ontario Association of Adult and Continuing Education School Board Administrators.