MITCHELL ADVOCATE WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2024 5 Former Ritz Lutheran Villa building to come down as phase two plans continue Final push now for West Perth Village community fundraising ANDY BADER The board of directors of the West Perth Village are continuing to work tirelessly to complete their $5 million community fundraising goal they set years ago when their multi-million dollar, 128-bed fa- cility was still in the dream stage. With that finish line about to be crossed - with approximately $367,000 left to be raised - the board continues to make plans with another phase that will in- clude much-needed senior inde- pendent living. Board member Jim Scott and CEO Leanne east wing and demolish the other two because they’re not, based on some expert opinions, repurpo- seable,” Scott said, noting the east The fundraising goal of $5 million 2 approximately $367,000 short, Is of the West Perth Village seniors community said. While that's being done, work continues on their campus with the demolition of the former Ritz Lutheran Villa building later this fall. anpy BaDER pany to help provide the expertise to work us through the process of Seniors Community, in March of 2023, then were joined days later by those from the Mitchell Nurs- ing Home, closing the book on that building’s memorable history as they had been a part of the Villa family since 2006. The overall $25-million 72,000 sq. ft. re-development included a fundraising goal within the com- munity of $5 million. With approx- imately $367,000 remaining to raise of their overall goal, the board is hosting two significant events this month, their 3rd annual golf tournament Sept. 7 at the Mitchell Golf & Country Club, andacountry music showcase Sept. 20 in Ket- erson Park called Tailgate Music Festival, of our land.” eae V sae tydawg Productions. to the facility in the 1980s. Mould, asbestos, plumbing and a fire alarm system along with other typical upgrades needed for the original building, built in1974, craks th the decision the only one economically feasible, they said. Even the east wing isn’t salvage- able. “When we started looking at the numbers, it just wasn’t cost justi- ae Scott said. “Bottom line, it recently that a decision has been made to demolish the former Ritz Lutheran Villa campus, hopeful- ly before the end of 2024, which will set the stage to repurpose the space to accommodate a new building that likely won’t be ready for occupancy until 2028. “Thebi the board was told the “best val- ue for their buck” was in going this route and building new, hoping to capitalize on funding opportu ties to meet the province’s ices push for more housing. “To renovate that wing into what we would need it to be for safe liv- ing, it buildingis being demolished,” Da- vidson said, who noted thatvarious stakeholders such as residents of es River ed. Scott said initial indications are that it will be aah to take the Atenderfor Place (both of ilfeh will remain. untouched) already informed of il generateentractor to ponies lose ihe demotion is ernie aback by the news. “You could hear the gasp in the room but as we went through and be, aay and what we would ade and theage of the building, people started ie comearound,” she continued. I think just the thought of cake this building that’s been part of the community forever is a shock.” “As far as our strategy goes, the original plan was to repurpose the ingtl project finished by the ati of the tt also stressed thatthe board said with their Bae! de- cision and sou; us expert opinions from two different ar- chitects, Ounce the former Ritz Villa dem- olitién is complete, it will be pre- pared “for whatever, aphase two is,” Scott said, adding th e board is working “with a consulting com- the Ministry on Health and eh -Term Care in 2019 and construction began in early November of 2020. Res- idents from the Ritz Lutheran Villa moved into the new build- ing, renamed West Perth Village ’s Ralph Spoltare said more than 1,500 tickets have been sold for the Festival already, headlined by Canadian country recording artist Steven Lee Olsen, and is confident sales will pick up closer to the concert itself. Mas adding if Olsen splay to in prestigious awards he’s been. ponutneted for at the ee an Country Music Association (CCMA) awards that are happen- ing the week before the event in. Mitchell, that will be a bonus. “If he hits on any of those, that will be mee for us.” r performers that night, including Bradley Hale, Adam Perth. Janna Leduc, from Milver- ton, and Amelia Jordan of Kitch- ener-Waterloo are also scheduled to perform. Advance tickets are available for $49.99, or $59.99 at the door. They are available at West Perth Village, from any member of the board, Turning Heads Salon & Spa in Mitchell, and Joe’s Diner or The Boar’s Head in Stratford. Ifyou are interested in donating to te facility itself and help meet its fundraising goal, please visit the West Perth Village website at ca ly taking off,” he said last RIT VILLA WEST PERTH VILLAGE Sf RITZ LUTHERAN VILLA/WEST PERTH VILLAGE NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING SENIORS’ COMMUNITY NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of the Members of Ritz Lutheran Villa, a charitable corporation, will be held at West Perth Village, 4118A Road 164 Mitchell, Ontario on Monday, September 16, 2024 at 7:00 pm to: ¢ Receive Reports meng. financial statements, together with the Auditor’s Report thereon; ¢ Elect Directors; : ¢ Appoint Auditors; DR ¢ Transact such other business as may propétly come before the meeting. Annual Members as well as the general public are cordially invited to attend this meeting. Please RSVP to addy. illa.com or 519-348-8612 Ext 306. You must be a member of the corporation in orderto vote. Annual Memberships:may be renewed/purchased up to and including Thursday, September 5, 2024 at the Business* Office at Ritz Lutheran Villa/West Perth Village during normal business hours. Proposed amendments to bylaws may be presented to the membership for their consideration. Copies of these amendments are available by contacting the Business Office at 519-348-8612.