After nine years of extensive renovations and a $7.5 million price tag, the new Pines Retirement building was officially opened on Friday.
It was a proud moment for management and staff, 31 years after Queen Elizabeth II opened the home in 1983 primarily to meet the needs of independent elderly citizens at the time of retirement.
The three-story building facilitates 50 residents in addition to day care clients. Each floor provides access to verandas, contains a nursing station, Parker bath, treatment room, and storage space. Parts of the old original building, which underwent major renovations, are still used as a day room, dining room, kitchen and laundry.
The home also acts as a hurricane shelter for residents, foregoing the need to evacuate residents. Residents and their families also have the option of selecting a private room, shared room, or ward-style accommodation, depending on their requirements.
“The retirement home is truly families taking care of families,” said Cabinet Minister Osbourne Bodden, telling attending guests that the new facility serves as a reminder to all that elders must be treated with care, dignity and the utmost respect during their final years when it is no longer easy for them to take care of themselves.
Highlighting the many features, setbacks and contributions to the home, Olive Miller, The Pines’ first manager, who is now a resident there at 92, said it was a remarkable day, despite her feeling sad in 2004 when Hurricane Ivan destroyed most of the old building.
Ms. Miller acknowledged the many people who had set the standard of loving care for residents at the home. She also made mention of former manager Sue Nicholson, who was dismissed last year after it was discovered that money had been misappropriated from the charity. The missing funds was subsequently replaced by Ms. Nicholson’s husband.
Ms. Miller pointed out that Ms. Nicholson had been manager of The Pines for 12 years and “although she took something out of the building, she also put a great deal into it.”
“I know she looked forward to this day with eager anticipation as the climax of her business career as it was her last hurrah before her retirement,” Ms. Miller said, adding that it was only fitting Ms. Nicholson’s contributions were recognized.
Julian Reddyhough, chairman of The Pines said, “It is truly a wonderful place where residents are cared for with love and skill by the staff and we are proud to say that they can now be cared for in a facility that they and the staff deserve.”
Mr. Reddyhough thanked the donors too numerous to mention and commented on the continuation of the tradition of care of the elderly residents of The Pines, which was first established by Dick Arch, who was instrumental in securing the land, and Ms. Miller and her teams at the National Council of Social Service and the National Council of Voluntary Organisations.
He explained how The Pines operates as a non-for-profit organization.
“We can keep our costs down because of the help we receive from the community,” he said. “Our board of directors, including our treasurer, are all unpaid volunteers.
“Many suppliers on island donate goods and services. Almost no local supplier allows us to pay full price for anything. Every government supports us and others donate their time to entertain and look after our residents. They sing to them, play music to them, talk to them, do their hair and help them with arts and crafts.”
He added, “When things go wrong, as happened last year when we discovered that money had gone missing and that we had been cheated out of goods and services, the community rallied around. KPMG and Theo Bullmore donated hundreds of hours forensically to examine our accounts going back eight years and Maples and Calder donated legal advice. Thankfully, we ended up recovering all we found owing at no cost to us but it was heartening to see that during this period the volume of donations from the public actually increased.
“There was a general feeling that a much cherished local institution had been violated and my board is determined to ensure that this never occurs again.”
The new facility means that there is more room now to care for a greater number of elderly residents, Mr. Reddyhough said, adding that when if this proves insufficient, there is enough room to create another building on the footprint of the demolished old facility. ”I think I can safely say that will be a challenge for a future chairman and not for me,” he said.
Mr. Reddyhough has been involved with The Pines for more than 20 years.
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