Elder care lodge gets $2.9M from feds
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/02/2024 (680 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Chief Vincent Tacan of Sioux Valley Dakota Nation says a $2.9-million investment from the federal government designed to make the Dakota Oyate Elder Care Lodge more accessible and environmentally friendly will help the community move forward.
On Tuesday, Tacan and Sean Fraser, the federal minister of housing, infrastructure and communities, announced the funding as part of a project that will work toward making the elder care home a fully net-zero facility. It’s an initiative that was put in place by Tacan’s predecessor, former chief Jennifer Bone, and her council, Tacan told the Sun.
“That also pertains to a geothermal project that, once it’s deployed, will greatly reduce the energy bills,” he said.
Housing Minister Sean Fraser, pictured here in the House of Commons, announced $2.9 million in funding on Feb. 13 to make the Dakota Oyate Elder Care Lodge in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation more energy efficient and accessible. (File)
The renovations made possible by the funding include improving accessibility to the nursing station, the installation of solar panels and an energy-efficient heating system. HVAC upgrades will also be made to support the new heating system, which will be able to regulate the building’s temperature more easily and efficiently, a press release Tuesday announcing the funding stated.
The Dakota Oyate Elder Care Lodge’s energy consumption will be reduced by an estimated 104 per cent, and greenhouse gas emissions from the facility will be reduced by 0.83 tonnes annually.
The funding comes through Ottawa’s Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program, which aims to improve facilities across Canada by reducing emissions and energy consumption, reducing costs and supporting jobs. The federal government says the program is part of Canada’s move toward net-zero objectives by 2050.
Investing in green infrastructure helps mitigate the impacts of climate change, makes communities more resilient to its impacts and protects the environment, Fraser said.
“I am proud that we were able to support the Dakota Oyate Elder Care Lodge. This important facility helps elders stay in the community they call home, and these upgrades will help ensure its sustainability for generations of elders to come.”
The Dakota Oyate Lodge Net Zero project promotes sustainable technologies while also improving residents’ quality of life, Tacan said.
“These priorities fall in line with our Dakota philosophy and teachings in caring for our elders and living in a sustainable way while protecting Mother Earth. The Sioux Valley Dakota Nation is extremely pleased to be a recipient of this funding and in being a leader in green infrastructure.”
» mleybourne@brandonsun.com
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