NORTH BATTLEFORD - The Villa Pascal expansion project is well into construction.
The 38-bed building, built in 1977, is being expanded to include a family Palliative Care suite with a kitchenette, sleeping quarters and a private bath. Four private rooms are being added for residents that will provide privacy for residents staying there instead of shared accommodations.
The area for the four single private rooms has just been built. An interdenominational chapel and multipurpose room is also being added in the centre of the building and construction of that is happening now.
There have also been renovations in the kitchen area, which meant they had to use a kitchen off-site for a while.
In the front, a dedicated hairdressing salon, administrative space and more washrooms are being added. Sidewalks are being poured this week, and once completed that will allow residents better access in and out of the facility.
The chapel, palliative care area and the other additions fill needs that were identified by Villa Pascal as they continue to seek to improve their service to the community.
The project continues to seek donations from the public for its fundraising campaign.
“We’re a non-profit organization and we depend on community support,” said Facility Administrator Heather Beatch. The project is a $2.5 million build and they are seeking to raise $1 million.
Their Board Chair Claude Desnoyers noted the Villa Pascal acknowledges it has been challenging to raise the money during these times.
“Our fundraising has been hampered by COVID, first and foremost,” said Desnoyers, but “people have lost value, lost income and such. The donations that would have been possible under a normal healthy economy dwindled quite a bit.”
As a result, they are having to go the extra mile in getting the word out about fundraising, and there has been plenty of community support already with some more announcements planned. In part that support is due to the good reputation that Villa Pascal has in the community.
On Wednesday, Albert and Helene Blais provided a cheque for $10,000 towards the fundraising effort. The donation goes to naming rights of one private room in memory of Al’s parents Evereste and Irene Blais, who were both residents there at one time.
“I always felt this facility provided excellent service,” Albert said.
He noted that when he would approach other people for donations to Villa Pascal, as they would always ask him “well, what are you doing?” Now he could provide an answer.
There is a range of categories for donations or naming rights, with $100,000 for the chapel/multipurpose room, for the new wing and for the palliative care suite; $50,000 for the dining hall, $30,000 for hair salon furniture, and $10,000 each for each private room, the palliative bed, and palliative suite furniture. Corporate sponsorships range from bronze, silver, gold to platinum in the amounts of $10,000, $25,000, $50,000 and $100,000.
Donations can be made to: Societe Joseph Breton Inc., Villa Pascal, 1301-113th Street, North Battleford S9A3K1. The phone number is 306-445-8465.
