Hospice Niagara to break ground on site next to Gilmore Lodge
March 22, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Ground will be broken later this year on a 10-bed Hospice Niagara site next to the new Gilmore Lodge long-term care home, which opened last December.
The hospice site in Fort Erie is one of two being built by the organization through fundraising and assistance from various levels of government.
Willson House, named as a result of a $1.5-million donation from Willson International, a long-standing Fort Erie business, will be 16,000 square feet and sit next to Gilmore Lodge on King Street.
At Foyer Richelieu, a non-profit long-term care home in Welland with a mostly Francophone population, Walker House is set to open later this year and offer 10 beds as well.
The two new sites will add 20 beds to the 10 already in Hospice Niagara’s inventory in St. Catharines.
An $18-million public capital campaign was launched in late 2021, announcing significant contributions to the cause, such as Willson’s contribution and a $1.5-million donation from Walker Industries.
Mountainview Homes has also committed to $1 million and the Ridgeway Lions Club has successfully pledged to raise $225,000 for an outdoor courtyard area at the Fort Erie build, Hospice Niagara executive director Carol Nagy told Fort Erie Radio in an interview on Tuesday.
The overall campaign is “very, very close” to hitting its mark, she said, adding that about $2.5 million still needs to be raised for plans in Fort Erie.
An aerial view of the future Willson House, which will sit next to Gilmore Lodge on King Street. Credit: Hospice NiagaraShe is confident people will “step up” to reach that goal.
Nagy said an exact date related to when construction will start next to Gilmore Lodge, on the south side of the property, has yet to be determined.
But she estimates it will be late spring or early fall, once all the necessary municipal permits are completed.
“We’re getting all that in order,” said Nagy.
Niagara Region is pitching in $2 million for each site in Fort Erie and Welland.
The Ontario Ministry of Health is also splitting $5 million between both projects.
The Town of Fort Erie has committed to funding as well, which Nagy said is four dollars per resident, according to figures taken from the town’s 2018 census.
While Hospice Niagara also provides in-home programs, on any given day there are still up to 500 people regularly waiting for care.
The additional beds will make a big difference in the region’s needs, especially with the local healthcare system being “under high demand,” said Nagy.
She said the impending closure of the Douglas Memorial urgent care site, which also has palliative beds, is another example of how great the need is.
“We know there’s a likelihood the palliative care beds will be closed for that community,” she said.
“We wanted to make sure that we were in place with the alternative prior to the new hospital opening,” she added.
Willson House is expected to open late fall of 2026, said Nagy.
A construction value estimate of the Fort Erie site could not be provided at this time, she said.
Strong Fort Erie Neighbourhoods looking to add to its team of volunteers
Peace Bridge to remain steady as other Niagara crossings increase rates
Fort Erie students among 67 honoured at Brock scholarship reception
About The Author
Kris Dubé
Kris is a veteran journalist who has worked in Niagara for close to 20 years. He is also a lifelong resident of Fort Erie, a place he plans to call home and raise his family for many more years.
Stay Informed