Long-Term Care PLUS With Cassellholme
Some local politicians have asked, how can the new Leisure World/Waters Edge, now known as Northern Heights, be built for $55 million and Cassellholme is $122 million?
It's like comparing apples to bananas. Their building is 108,000 sq ft and your new Cassellholme is 222,000 sq ft, more than double the size.
So, let's level the playing field and use the new Northern Heights numbers for both.
If they can build 108,000 sq ft for $55 million then it's costing $509.25 per sq ft, so, at $509.25 per sq ft a 222,000 sq ft building would cost $113 million. Cassellholme has a total build price of $122 million.
So why is there a $9 million difference?
For roughly $9 million more (or $360,000 a year over 25 years) Cassellholme gives the community a building twice the size, with 104 more beds, in larger rooms, plus, we provide all the meals for North Bay Meals on Wheels, meals for a number of residents in Castle Arms, adult day programs and respite services, an auditorium shared with community partners, and space for Community Support Services providing supports such as housekeeping and PSW services to keep seniors in their own homes.
We are also preserving a portion of our current building, the North wing, as a
stand-alone space for possible future affordable assisted living, a seniors clinic and additional geriatric services.
What does the new Northern Heights provide... 160 beds, that's all.
Every bed is needed but so are all the additional programs and services we provide to the community at Cassellholme.
How do we compare?
Cassellholme and other public developments have to disclose all their information whereas private builds don't.
Turner and Townsend, an independent, internationally recognized quantity survey firm with more than 75 years of experience, has reviewed our project budget and schedule and has noted the following:
“The target date and budget of $121,889,390 are reasonable considering the size, complexity and location of the project.”
Turner Townsend*
*Turner Townsend is an independent, internationally recognized quantity survey firm with more than 75 years of experience.
Apples to apples, it's not about cost, it's about priorities.
