Riverview Home residents Ken Davies and Rose Green hold the ribbon while Alice Parker does the cutting, with help from CEO Patricia Bland and board chairman Don Hussher during Thursday’s grand opening of the facility. Riverview Home Corporation’s adult residential centre underwent major renovations over the last several years to modernize the building, which had been close to 100 years old. CAROL DUNN – THE NEWS
She said it was the first time she had a report of employees encountering coyotes while working. Because the north and south wings of the facility weren’t connected during part of the renovation, employees had to go outside to travel between the two areas. “It was the only time I had to call DNR about a health and safety issue,” she said.
Bland told the story while speaking at the grand opening of the newly renovated Riverview Home on Thursday, which included a ribbon cutting and guided tours of the facility.
The adult residential centre offers community and facility-based support for 90 individuals with mental and physical disabilities and chronic mental illness. It underwent major renovations over the past several years and is now able to focus on its mission of “creating full and meaningful lives for people living with diverse abilities,” said Bland.
Renovations of the nearly 100-year-old facility began in 2009, and residents were moved around several times as various parts of the building were refurbished.
Anne Perigo, representing Community Services Minister Joanne Bernard, said the updated facility will give persons with disabilities the ability to reach their full potential and live as independently as possible. “We support the well being and independence of people with disabilities.”
Don Hussher, chairman of the board, said the journey to the new facility has taken more than a decade. “It’s not easy to live in a construction zone.”
He said the board meets once a month, and members compared it to a war zone when they visited the building. “I’m told everybody gets to sleep a lot earlier now that the jackhammers and machines are gone.”
