With construction crews making significant progress on all three levels after a milder winter, Northumberland’s Golden Plough Lodge long-term care and Northumberland County Archives and Museum (NCAM) redevelopment is taking shape.
“A mild winter has enabled construction crews to progress work on both the exterior and interior of the new Golden Plough Lodge and NCAM,” said Northumberland County, in an April update. “Significant progress is being made with the installation of the mechanical ductwork and electrical cabling on all three levels of the facility.”
And bricks are now being installed on the interior courtyards and exterior stud framing and sheathing are almost 95 per cent complete, added the county.
“With interior wall frames in place, drywall installation for resident rooms and hallways is well underway and insulation is being installed to keep the facility warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Up top on the roof, final roof sealing and drainage are now at 80 per cent and tie-ins for the heating and cooling systems and main boilers is nearing completion.”
In coming months, people can expect the exterior cladding and grading to be more visible and resident rooms and common areas will continue to be built out.
While construction crews have busy with the bricks and mortar, internally the team has started the detailed process of developing a number of transition plans to ensure compliance with Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care requirements and plans to safely and smoothly relocate staff and residents, said county staff.
The three-storey, 203,000-square-foot redevelopment will provide 180 long-term care beds when complete, translating to an increase of 29 additional beds from the current 151-bed facility.
Once the new LTC home is complete, the existing GPL will be demolished.
Northumberland County broke ground on the redevelopment project back in December 2020.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
