Months after an aggressive fire destroyed an entire wing of a Whitby, Ont., nursing home, some residents are finally moving back in.
Last October, a section of Fairview Lodge went up in flames. At least eight firetrucks, including vehicles from the Ajax and Oshawa fire departments, responded to the blaze. Crews were able to eventually put out the fire, but the back section of the long-term care home was completely levelled by the fire.
Nearly 200 seniors, many of whom use walkers and wheelchairs for mobility, were safely moved from the building. They were temporarily relocated to other nursing homes in Durham Region, where some were forced to stay for approximately eight months due to construction delays.
The rebuilt $40-million Fairview was expected to be completed by mid-March but didn't officially re-open until Tuesday.
According to Durham's regional chair Roger Anderson, the company behind the project, Bondfield Construction, came under repeated fire for not moving up the completion date.
"We met with them on numerous occasions, offered them incentives as in more money," Anderson told CTV Toronto. "I think we did everything we could."
Despite the delay, however, many residents and their families were thrilled about the new facility.
"This is his home and he’s been here for like 11 years," the family of one resident said.
In total, 24 residents were admitted into the new Fairview on Tuesday. The remaining residents are expected to be moved in by July 3.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Janice Golding
