A Sarnia retirement home will reopen less than a year after a devastating fire.
Fairwinds Lodge General Manager Tina Mel said over half of the facility's 113 suites will be ready for occupancy this fall, ahead of schedule.
"So we will be opening in two phases," said Mel. "Phase one is central and south, it's 71 suites that will be opening in the fall with the north end opening sometime in 2024."
(Fairwinds Lodge Open House April 22, 2023. Sarnia News Today photo by Stephanie Chaves.)
Mel said while a specific date for the reopening hasn't been set, many of the former residents have indicated a desire to return, while others have chosen to stay in their new homes.
(Fairwinds Lodge Open House April 22, 2023. Sarnia News Today photo by Stephanie Chaves.)
"Some residents it's too much to make a second move and we totally support that," she said. "So it's a mixture of previous residents returning and new residents that are interested in joining Fairwinds Lodge."
"I think that's really thanks to the quick actions of the two concierges that were on site alongside the first responders for the city of Sarnia," said Mel. "Their quick actions really allowed us to be able to reopen in a timely fashion."
(Fairwinds staff, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley and MPP Bob Bailey at open house April 22, 2023. Sarnia News Today photo by Stephanie Chaves.)
Meanwhile, staff at the Michigan Avenue facility and the city's first responders were recognized by the province with a certificate from the premier, presented by Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey during an open house on Saturday.
