LANCASTER, Ont. — Construction has begun on two new long-term care homes in Eastern Ontario, part of a provincial push to expand capacity and modernize facilities for seniors across the province. The projects, located in Prescott and Lancaster, will deliver a combined 256 new and redeveloped beds and are backed by provincial funding and private sector partnerships.
The Ontario government said the developments mark another step in addressing the growing demand for long-term care as the province’s population ages.
“As Ontario continues to age, our government is making historic investments to protect families and their loved ones,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta, Minister of Long-Term Care. “Today’s announcement is great news for communities across Eastern Ontario, and will ensure that 256 people will get the care they need, in modern and safe homes.”
Details of the Projects
The homes are redevelopments of existing facilities, each designed to house 128 residents. In Prescott, Wellington House Nursing Home will be replaced with a four-storey structure featuring lounges, therapy rooms, a salon, a place of worship, and resident home areas on every floor.
In Lancaster, the redevelopment of Lancaster Long Term Care Residence will result in a three-storey facility with four resident home areas, landscaped courtyards, and terraces designed to maximize natural light and communal space. Both projects incorporate air conditioning throughout and larger common areas to improve comfort and quality of life for residents.
The “Resident Home Area” model, which groups up to 32 residents around shared dining, activity, and lounge spaces, is a key design element aimed at creating a more intimate and familiar environment for seniors.
Government’s Broader Commitment
The projects are part of Ontario’s plan to build 58,000 new and upgraded long-term care beds province-wide, a commitment highlighted in the 2025 Ontario Budget: A Plan to Protect Ontario. According to the Ministry of Long-Term Care, as of July 2025, 148 projects representing more than 24,000 beds were completed, under construction, or approved to begin.
Funding for the Lancaster and Prescott developments comes through the Building Ontario Fund (BOF) in partnership with Manulife, along with a top-up from the province’s Construction Funding Subsidy. The province said these financial tools are designed to accelerate construction in smaller and rural communities where investment has historically lagged.
“Through these two new long-term care projects, the Building Ontario Fund once again demonstrates our province’s ability to leverage innovative solutions to build more critical infrastructure that would otherwise not get built,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario’s Minister of Finance. “Our government will continue to take meaningful action in the province’s long-term care sector as we continue to protect Ontario by creating more good-paying jobs and building for our future.”
Local Leaders Welcome the Investment
Local officials praised the projects as crucial investments in both healthcare capacity and community stability.
“Our government continues to protect seniors and families in Stormont—Dundas—South Glengarry by providing compassionate and high-quality care, close to home,” said Nolan Quinn, MPP for the region. “These two redeveloped long-term care homes will ensure more people in our community have access to the dignified care they need, while assuring families that their loved ones are safe and supported.”
Prescott’s mayor, Gauri Shankar, emphasized the redevelopment’s local significance. “The redevelopment of Wellington House Nursing Home represents so much more than bricks and mortar—it’s an investment in the health, dignity, and quality of life of our seniors, who are such an important part of our community,” he said. “This project will strengthen local healthcare capacity, create meaningful employment, and support Prescott’s economy for years to come.”
In South Glengarry, Mayor Lachlan McDonald echoed the sentiment. “The Township of South Glengarry is thrilled to see construction begin on this exciting development in our community. The redevelopment and expansion of Lancaster Long Term Care Residence means not only the addition of much-needed beds, but also the reassurance that our seniors can remain close to family and friends in a place they know and love.”
Michael Fedchyshyn, CEO of the Building Ontario Fund, added that the projects were part of a bundled financing effort that made construction possible in smaller markets. “Through our bundling of four projects—including Lancaster and Prescott—we’ve unlocked capital that previously was not available,” he said. “In so doing, we are seeing much-needed long-term care homes being developed in these rural Ontario communities.”
Next Steps
The Ontario government is framing these developments as part of a wider transformation of long-term care delivery under the Fixing Long-Term Care Act, 2021. Its four-pillar strategy focuses on staffing and care, quality enforcement, building modern facilities, and connecting seniors to services more efficiently.
Officials say the Lancaster and Prescott projects, once complete, will not only meet immediate demand but also demonstrate the province’s ability to deliver modern long-term care in smaller communities.
“These projects will ensure seniors across Eastern Ontario have access to safe, modern and compassionate care,” Kusendova-Bashta said.
