No decision has been made on the future of two long term care homes in Grey County.
County staff are recommending amalgamating Rockwood Terrace in Durham and Grey Gables in Markdale into a brand new facility in Durham.
The recommendation also includes selling Grey Gables, for use as an Assisted Living/Memory Care centre.
However, Grey County council deferred any decision Thursday until May 11th to receive public input.
Grey Highlands Mayor Paul McQueen, would like to see a “wing” added to Grey Gables for assisted living.
That idea would also keep it as a long term care home.
McQueen says in 2012, an 80 unit assisted living development was proposed for Markdale.
He says losing Grey Gables, and possibly losing Beavercrest Community school is just another “nail in the coffin” for the community.
McQueen says there is economic benefit to having a long term care home in the village.
He points to family coming in to visit loved ones, stopping at the gas station, grocery stores, and picking up food at restaurants.
OPSEU — which represents Grey Gables employees — spokesperson Jeremy Thibodeau says they don’t want to turn the home over to private hands.
Thibodeau tells Bayshore Broadcasting News, the employees at the long term care home are not happy.
He says employees and residents have been out on the picket line for the past few days showing support for keeping the home open.
Durham resident Jennifer Caswell says she would like to see both homes stay open.
Caswell says the Ministry of Health needs to have better funding formulas.
She says right now is not the time to close homes.
Caswell says baby boomers will soon be needing these long term care homes.
Grey County will be holding two public meetings next week.
One is set for March 30th from 7-9pm at Durham Community centre.
A second meeting is set for March 31st from 7-9pm at the Centre Grey Rec Complex in Markdale.