West Vancouver’s private Inglewood Care Centre has been sold to a non-profit society planning to redevelop the 1963 facility, “which is aging and in need of extensive renovations.”
According to a release from the province Friday afternoon, Baptist Housing took over operation of the 230-unit care home at 725 Inglewood Ave. on Feb. 3.
The sale was made possible by $114 million in financing from BC Housing, according to the release, which includes the purchase of three adjacent lots. Baptist Housing provided $14.5 million from its own coffers.
“In the coming months, project partners will work with the District of West Vancouver on rezoning and permit applications. This redevelopment would replace the existing 230 beds, with the potential of adding more beds in the future,” the release stated. “In addition to the proposed redevelopment, Baptist Housing will explore additional opportunities to expand housing and care services on the property. Once a proposal is ready, partners will ask the public for input.”
The release specified that no existing residents would be displaced as a result of the project.
"We are thrilled to partner with Baptist Housing and Vancouver Coastal Health to help seniors stay in the community where they have connections. I'm also looking forward to seeing how we can bring more affordable housing options onto this site, so that more seniors in West Vancouver can have a home close to friends and family,” said Selina Robinson, minister of municipal affairs and housing, in a statement.
Previously, the facility was privately owned by Unicare, which subcontracted staffing and operations. The facility had a history of contract flipping, requiring existing staff to be laid off and rehired at lower rates.
Howard Johnson, president and CEO of Baptist Housing, suggested in the release that Inglewood would be going in a new direction.
"As a non-profit, our focus is always on people and service instead of profit, and that allows us to bring a unique approach to this exciting project. We want to do more than just run the residence the same way it's always been run,” he said.
West Vancouver Mayor Mary-Ann Booth welcomed the change.
“Baptist Housing has demonstrated an excellent standard of care in many B.C. communities, and we look forward to working with them here to meet these critical community needs," she stated in the release.
Baptist Housing officials are due to speak before West Vancouver council Monday night.
