Yukon government presents design for new continuing care facility

The Yukon government has unveiled design plans for a new continuing care facility to be built in Whitehorse's Whistle Bend neighbourhood.

Plans for the 150-bed facility have been in the works for several years. Last month, PCL Construction won the$113million design-build contract, one of the largest construction contracts ever awarded in Yukon. The total budget for the project is nearly $150 million.

The new architectural design shows a complex consisting ofsevenhouses, all connectedto a centralsquare.The square will contain shared spaces, including a medical office, devotional space, therapeutic gym, hair salon, and acoffee shop.

There will also be a large multipurpose room for special events, an arts and crafts room, and a woodworking shop. A circularFirst Nations healing room willcontaina fire pit and be oriented with the four points of the compass.

The facility will be able to provide 24-hour care and support to residents, including people with moderate to severe dementia, the government says.

"'Home' is the key word here, because this building will be home for the 150 individuals who will live there. A key design principle isthat this facility will be welcoming and comfortable," said Yukon Health and Social Services minister Mike Nixon.

The government says there are already about 90 people on the waiting list for the facility.

Construction is expected to begin this spring, and be finished in 2018.The government has said the facilitycould later be expanded to include another 150 beds, depending on the need.