The contributions of Judy Pratt to life at Creighton Lodge were recognized May 24 during a tea at the enriched living facility.
Pratt has managed the lodge alongside Shelly Veroba since the spring of 2010. During that time, the lodge has gone through some considerable improvements, making it a much more desirable option for potential residents.
“I’ve made two decisions during my decades of working life that I consider my best decisions,” said Pratt. “The first was to leave home care to accept an offer to work at Creighton Lodge.
“The second decision was what may be my legacy at Creighton Lodge – that decision was to only accept the job if Shelly Veroba was hired as my co-manager.”
Pratt noted that she can be long-winded at times, as evidenced by her Creighton Lodge report that would appear in the Estevan Mercury or Southeast Lifestyles each month.
But then she applauded those who came that day. When she left home care to come to Creighton Lodge, she never imagined the difference it would make in her life.
The building report from 2010 said it was a very old structure in need of repairs, a nearly half-empty building as it only had 27 of a possible 51 residents, just one staff member willing to stay on, a kitchen that hadn’t been used to cook for nearly 10 years, and a trust fund that was down to its last $25,000.
“An attractive offer? Maybe not, but it was a change and a challenge,” said Pratt. “I was familiar with Creighton Lodge as my home care staff had looked after the care of the residents and the cleaning of the common areas for the 15 years prior.”
Due to the cessation of government subsidization in 1995, it had been run under the management of home care and St. Joseph’s Hospital from 1995 to 2010, at which time the health region wanted to sell or close it.
When Pratt and Veroba were hired in 2010, she thought she would stick around for two years before Veroba would move into the full-time manager role.
“We felt together we were the package that Creighton Lodge needed,” Pratt said.
They set about hiring the necessary cooking and cleaning staff and they rolled out three meals a day.
“Looking back on our first six months is a blur. We renovated the kitchen, turned 10 bachelor suites into our five magnificent valley suites, painted all the hallways and dining room and had our suites all rented with a small waiting list which has now grown to 162,” said Pratt. “All the staff and many volunteers worked tirelessly.”
Pratt stayed around to see such projects as a lounge expansion and a kitchen renovation completed.
Ninety-five per cent of the rooms and the common area have been updated.
She hopes the success of the lodge and the lengthy waiting list would be an indication and a motivator to the community to create another lodge or add on to the existing one.
Pratt also weaved some humour into her speech, particularly when she talked Veroba. Pratt poked fun at Veroba’s singing and shopping skills, but then mentioned how Veroba always managed to brighten Pratt’s day.
“By the end of the day that started out so poorly, I’ll find myself walking out to my car with a spring in my step, a smile on my face, and singing a song … slightly off-key,” said Pratt.
Pratt will still be a familiar face at the lodge, as she looks forward to volunteering there in the future.
