Ontario Breaks Ground on 224-Bed Long-Term Care Home in Peterborough

Peterborough, ON — Ontario has officially broken ground on a new long-term care facility in Peterborough, part of the provincial government’s broader plan to expand capacity and improve quality of care across the sector.

The project, called peopleCare Peterborough, will add 224 modern long-term care beds to the community once construction is complete. The home, expected to open its doors in 2027, is part of Trent University’s Seniors Village and is designed to create a more resident-focused model of care.

“Our government is improving long-term care by building more homes, hiring more staff, and protecting those who reside in them,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Today marks a significant milestone for the City of Peterborough. Once construction is complete, 224 people will have a new home where they can receive the care they need, when they need it.”

A New Model for Care

The new home will feature seven “Resident Home Areas” that aim to provide a more intimate and familiar living environment. Each area will be designed to foster community and connection while supporting residents’ individual needs.

The facility will also include therapy and quiet rooms, a bistro, a secure landscaped courtyard, and a multi-purpose spiritual room. A teaching and research space will be available for Trent University faculty and students, reflecting the project’s intergenerational and academic partnership.

Brent Gingerich, Chairman and CEO of peopleCare, said the collaboration with Trent University will create something unique in Ontario’s long-term care system. “peopleCare is thrilled to build and operate a new long-term care home that will be a centre of excellence for aging adults in Peterborough, as part of Trent University’s Seniors Village,” he said. “We’re excited to collaborate with an innovative partner like Trent and create something truly unique, where clinical best practices, teaching, research and intergenerational connections come together.”

Government Strategy and Funding

The Peterborough project is supported through Ontario’s Construction Funding Subsidy top-up, which has recently evolved into the Capital Funding Program (CFP). The updated program, launched in July 2025, aims to accelerate construction of new homes and redeveloped beds, particularly in areas struggling with labour shortages and supply chain constraints.

The CFP provides a funding framework tailored to regional cost variations and operator needs. It replaces the earlier top-up model introduced in 2022, which had already spurred record levels of construction in a single year.

As of July 2025, the province reported that 148 projects — representing 24,101 new and redeveloped beds — are either completed, under construction, or approved for construction.

Building more long-term care homes is a cornerstone of Ontario’s pledge to create 58,000 new and redeveloped beds across the province, as outlined in the 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario.

Local Impact and Community Benefits

Local officials say the new project is particularly important for Peterborough, a community with a growing senior population.

“This new long-term care home is a critical step forward in addressing the needs of our aging population here in Peterborough and across Ontario,” said MPP Dave Smith (Peterborough—Kawartha). “It’s more than just a building; it’s a promise to our seniors that they will have a safe, modern, and comfortable place to call home, where they can receive the high-quality care they deserve. I’m proud to see this project moving forward, as it directly supports our government’s commitment to building a stronger, healthier future for everyone.”

Trent University also welcomed the partnership as an opportunity to extend its leadership role in aging studies. “Trent University is a globally recognized leader in aging studies,” the institution said in a statement. “We are looking forward to working together with the Ministry of Long-term Care and peopleCare to continue to advance best-practice care here in Peterborough and for all Ontarians.”

A Four-Pillar Plan

The Ontario government’s strategy to overhaul long-term care is based on four main pillars:

• Staffing and care — ensuring more frontline workers are hired and trained.

• Quality and enforcement — raising and monitoring care standards.

• Modern, safe, and comfortable homes — accelerating construction like the Peterborough project.

• Connecting seniors with services — improving access to healthcare and community supports.

Officials emphasize that projects like peopleCare Peterborough are not only about adding capacity but also about transforming how care is delivered.

By 2027, the new home is expected to provide both immediate relief to long waitlists in the region and long-term benefits through research, training, and intergenerational engagement.