There has been plenty of work over the past several months at the seniors residences at the Sunshine Lodge.

Demolition work began in early October on the approximate $5 million project to tear down the old 500 wing at Sunshine Lodge in preparation for constructing eight, brand new self-contained units to replace the aging units on the wing which were no longer effectively serving seniors.

“The 30 below weather kind of slows everything down,” Drumheller and District Seniors Foundation (DDSF) Chair and Town Councillor Tom Zariski told the Mail.

He notes, while there have been some delays procuring materials and supplies there have been no major delays and the build is currently on schedule. Construction is expected to wrap up by June or July, and Councillor Zariski says DDSF is looking to hold a grand opening or open house.

There has been plenty of interest in these new suites, and Councillor Zariski explains seniors currently living in Sunshine Lodge will “get first dibs” on these rooms. He adds these rooms will not only be newer than other rooms available at Sunshine Lodge, but will also be bigger and will also have a more expensive price tag.

Once all interested Sunshine Lodge residents have been given the opportunity to take one of these suites, applications will open to the general senior population and a wait list may be incorporated if necessary.

While construction is moving forward swiftly on the new 500 wing replacement, construction on the new SL4 facility is at a standstill.

“Costs escalated to the point the provincial government said, ‘This is just too much,’ so they took a step back and now what they’re doing (is they’re) hiring a consultant to basically go through all of the costs and just see where the costs came from, and if they’re legitimate, and if they could be pared down a little bit,” Councillor Zariski explains.

Although this portion of the project is currently delayed, Councillor Zariski is optimistic it will move ahead in the near future due to the need for higher Supportive Living in the community.

Members of the Southern Alberta Crime Reduction Unit (SACRU), along with assistance from Strathmore RCMP, executed a search warrant on a property in the Village of Rockyford on Thursday, January 5.
A male was arrested and a number of items were recovered by RCMP.
Among the items recovered included four stolen vehicles--a 2017 Honda Civic, a 2020 Hyundai Elantra, a 2007 Ford F-550, and a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado--a 2009 Heartland Big Country RV trailer, stolen license plates, 25 grams of suspected fentanyl and 10 grams of suspected methamphetamine, stolen identification documents, and office equipment used to create fraudulent identification and financial cards.
Jason Lazette, 46, a resident of Rockyford, was arrested on the property and has been charged with 27 charges, including five counts of possession of stolen property over $5,000; two counts of possession of stolen property under $5,000; two counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking; eight counts of obtain/possess identity information; possess a prohibited firearm; four counts of fail to comply with a release order.
After a judicial interim hearing, Laxette was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in provincial court in Strathmore on Tuesday, January 17.
SACRU would like to thank the community of Rockyford for their support during this operation.