The endeavour to construct a new, combined 180-bed long-term care home and museum and archives site in Northumberland County has taken longer and cost more than expected, but the Golden Plough Lodge (GPL) and Northumberland County Archives and Museum (NCAM) project is 75 per cent finished.
The county announced on Monday (October 7) that GPL, the only municipally operated long-term care facility in Northumberland, and NCAM will open later in 2025. The 203,000-square-foot facility is being constructed on Courthouse Road in the town of Cobourg, adjacent to the existing GPL, on county-owned property.
“To ensure the successful delivery of this vital community project, the revised occupancy for staff is set for June 2025, at which time furnishing, set-up, and touch-ups will take place,” the county noted in an email newsletter.
Residents are expected to move into the new facility in the fall of 2025.
The project is now moving into the final phase of construction, according to the county.
“We are entering an exciting phase of the project as finishing contractors begin work onsite,” said Denise Marshall, director of public works, in a media release. “Northumberland County and its construction partners are determined to deliver a facility that residents, staff, and the community will be proud of.”
The county said it’s “fully focused” on the desired final outcome: a facility that meets the evolving needs of long-term care residents, responds to increasing local demand for long-term care spaces, and — through new museum and archival amenities — supports the preservation and promotion of Northumberland’s cultural heritage.
Although the project was initially launched in December 2020 with a projected completion date of December 2022, the county said nationwide challenges in the construction sector that stem from the COVID-19 pandemic impacted original projections. Factors such as material cost increases, skilled labour shortages, high interest rates, inflation, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuating oil and gas prices have required adjustments to the timeline and budget.
Following negotiations, Northumberland County and contractor Matheson Constructors have reached an agreement on an updated budget and schedule, the media release noted.
There is also a revised project budget. The budget adjustment incorporates additional funds for contractor and subcontractor work, project administration and design changes, as well as elevated interest rates on financing, for a revised total project budget of $145 million — up from the original budget of $115 million, the county noted.
Northumberland said it will fund these increases through a financing arrangement with Infrastructure Ontario as well as a draw from reserves.
County staff will provide a report on the breakdown of the costs at the December meeting of the public works committee, following a 60-day period requested by the contractor due to commercial sensitivity.
“This amended budget reflects current economic conditions,” the county said. “In 2022, the provincial government introduced a program specifically aimed at mitigating the widespread cost escalations for construction of long-term care facilities, so that cost would not become a barrier to the launch of these critically required capital development projects.”
“While the (GPL) redevelopment project, launched in December 2020, predates the eligibility period for this program — which is limited to projects starting on or after April 1, 2022 — the pressures created by the current economic environment are nevertheless clear.”
Northumberland County Warden Brian Ostrander shared his thoughts on the project.
“While facing unforeseen challenges, Northumberland County has ensured diligent management of the project’s financial responsibilities, ensuring all invoices have been promptly addressed throughout the lifespan of the project,” said Ostrander.
“In the face of industry-wide cost escalations, council has authorized an updated agreement as necessary to ensure compensation for subcontractors and the delivery of this vital facility.”
The new GPL will include a combination of one-bed and two-bed rooms across six resident home areas. In addition to a sensory room, the new facility will include fireside lounges, a café and a hair salon, a greenhouse for agri-therapy, an auditorium for concerts and resident events, and outdoor courtyards and pathways.
The NCAM space has been designed with features that target preserving history. NCAM’s possessions include the land registry collection, which contains more than 100 bound ledgers and thousands of land instruments dating back to the 1700s.
