For Hay River North MLA R.J. Simpson, the official opening of a new addition at Woodland Manor was not just another ribbon-cutting.
The addition is for long-term care residents who have moved from the old H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital, including his grandmother.
"The reason that I care about this opening and this facility is because this is people's homes," Simpson told guests at the opening on Oct. 5, noting his grandmother lived at H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital for over 10 years.
The MLA noted it is always difficult to move because of the change.
"There was some trepidation, I think, with some of the residents moving from H.H. Williams to here, but it's turned out that people are getting used to it," he said. "It's a beautiful facility. There's a lot more people to socialize with now that they're connected to the manor. I think it's been a great move."
The MLA helped his grandmother – 95-year-old Christine Simpson – to cut the ribbon to officially open the addition.
She is happy with her new accommodations.
"I love it," she said. "I love everything about it. It's nice."
Ten long-term care residents at H.H. Williams Memorial Hospital moved to the new addition at Woodland Manor in mid-August.
The addition replaces the 10 long-term care beds at the old hospital.
It includes nine long-term care rooms and one family room. The family room is where relatives of residents can spend the night or have quiet family interactions.
The GNWT invested $7 million in the design and construction of the addition.
Health and Social Services Minister Glen Abernethy was at the official opening.
"Having all long-term care beds in one building will improve efficiency and the care provided to all of our residents," he said. "The expansion includes nine long-term care rooms and a family room, and the original building converted the existing space into another long-term care bed."
Abernethy noted that seniors are the fastest growing population in the NWT.
"Although the number of long-term care beds remains the same in Hay River at 25, we recognize that there is a need for more long-term care beds and care rooms here in the community," he said.
Woodland Manor already had 15 long-term care beds.
The GNWT has committed to creating 48 additional long-term care beds in Hay River.
The addition to Woodland Manor is important for Hay River, said Abernethy. "It's going to help until we get those other 48 beds built."
Construction of the new addition was a joint venture of Arctic Canada Construction Ltd. and the Hay River Metis Government Council.
The project began in August of 2016.