Shown clockwise from left, Villa Pascal manager Heather Beatch (far left) joins in the official ribbon cutting ceremony, Bishop Stephen Hero from the Catholic Diocese of Prince Albert blesses attendees and the building, and board chair Claude Desnoyers gives a welcoming speech at the celebration Thursday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Angela Brown

Palliative care addition

Villa Pascal celebrates with opening of new expansion

May 12, 2022 | 4:20 PM

It was an important day for North Battleford’s Villa Pascal Thursday as the facility celebrated its new expansion opening and re-dedication.

Villa Pascal manager Heather Beatch took part in the ceremony to snip the ribbon, officially launching a new era for the long-term care home on 113th Street.

Beatch was happy with the outcome of the project.

“We really have a wonderful facility,” she said. “We always did, but now we have more square footage.”

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The residents in the 38-bed facility now have a dedicated assembly hall and a spiritual care component with a new chapel. There is also a new palliative care suite, added space for residents and administration, and a carport addition outside so residents don’t have to walk very far to get into the Handi-Bus or their family’s vehicle. A hair salon was also added.

Four single-occupancy rooms were constructed on the east end to replace two double-occupancy rooms that were renovated into the new palliative care suite.

Board chair Claude Desnoyers said the project for the non-profit facility was funded with $250,000 from the province. The Discovery Co-op dedicated the equivalent of $100,000 over three years. There were also contributions from individual donors and through a fundraiser. Chris Odishaw donated the furnishings for the new palliative care suite.

Desnoyers was overjoyed to see all the work completed within the past year, after planning for the project that started four years ago.

“It went very well considering all the obstacles that would pop up for time to time,” he said. “We were well guided by our team, and we had very competent contractors. So we were very pleased to see what we have today.”

Battlefords MLA Jeremy Cockrill was also thrilled with the facility expansion now complete, noting the great value it adds to the community.

“We want to congratulate Villa Pascal and everyone involved on an excellent renovation project here..,” he said. “The one piece of the project that really got me excited was the palliative care piece. As somebody who has had family members access palliative care services, it meant a lot to see the expansion of those services here in our community.”

Cockrill said having those services available adds a level of dignity, and “makes space for really authentic conversations in a person’s final days with their family. It’s great to see that included as part of this project.”

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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW