BARRIE, ON — The Ontario government has officially broken ground on two new long-term care (LTC) projects in Barrie, bringing a total of 337 modern beds to the growing community.
The Grove Park Home for Senior Citizens and the Village of Innis Landing are part of Ontario’s province-wide push to build 58,000 new and upgraded LTC beds, addressing long-standing shortages in seniors’ care. Both projects benefit from the province’s Construction Funding Subsidy top-up, first introduced in 2022 to accelerate LTC construction.
“Today’s announcement is great news for Barrie and will ensure that 337 residents will get the care they need, in modern and safe homes,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care, in a July 28 news release.
Project Details
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Grove Park Home for Senior Citizens will upgrade 62 existing beds and add 2 new beds for a total of 145. Enhancements include:
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A modernized nursing call system
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Improved fire detection and suppression systems
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New monitoring features for resident safety
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A café and community hub
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Redesigned outdoor space and mechanical lifts in resident rooms
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Village of Innis Landing will redevelop the Coleman Care Centre, adding 80 beds for a total of 192. The facility will include:
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Larger common areas
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Dedicated spaces for recreation and social activities
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Intimate, home-like resident areas for up to 32 people per unit
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Both homes will feature air conditioning throughout and layouts designed to make care settings feel more familiar and comfortable for residents and their families.
Community and Government Response
Local leaders say the projects will ease long-term care shortages that have plagued Barrie and surrounding Simcoe County for years.
“The need for long-term care beds in Barrie has been growing for years. Premier Ford, Minister Kusendova-Bashta, and the provincial government are stepping up to deliver the beds our seniors need,” said Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall.
MPP Andrea Khanjin (Barrie–Innisfil) called the announcement a “momentous step forward” for local seniors, while Doug Downey (Barrie–Springwater–Oro-Medonte) said the upgrades will allow residents to “age with dignity in the community they love.”
Ontario’s Long-Term Care Expansion Plan
According to the Ministry of Long-Term Care, 148 projects representing 24,101 new and redeveloped beds are now either complete, under construction, or approved for construction across the province as of July 2025.
The 2025 Ontario Budget outlines the government’s plan to build more LTC capacity, improve staffing levels, and modernize aging facilities. New funding supports are being introduced to keep construction moving amid high costs, with incentives for non-profit operators.
For more information, visit the Ministry of Long-Term Care website.
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