Bethel Place (BP) saw the mortgage retired in 2015, and is owned by the four originating churches, Bethel Mennonite, Fort Gary Mennonite Fellowship, Charleswood Mennonite and Home Street Mennonite Church. As a facility for seniors in an independent lifestyle setting, BP has in recent years begun a path to refurbishment and renewal, seeing installation of a new auxiliary power unit, and the spending of approximately 3.5 M for many projects.

As a not for profit operation the facility owes much to the care and creativity of those working there, as well as a committed and capable volunteer group. Expectations are high within the building as to the completion shortly of the South Oak Inn Restaurant remake, which will continue to serve both residents and other patrons. Having come through a period of restricted movement within the facility caused by the pandemic, it is truly a credit to all there that there has been no single case of Covid. Residents indeed look forward to a return to a somewhat more open lifestyle that had been so constructive to the lifestyle enjoyed prior to Covid.

March of 2017 saw the introduction of a new file to the board and the creation of a Future Planning Committee (FPC) to examine the possibility of provisioning for a new build facility along the lines of the current BP. The FPC has learned much, spoken with many inside Municipal and Provincial Governments and seen the changes within the structures of those groups that have resulted in different thoughts as to the current state of retired persons accommodations and the need for same. Having looked at recent buildings completed, and more than some 20 locations we have reached a point where the Board must now make the decision to continue to a new facility or not.

There is a newly released Capital Report prepared by an engineering firm, and the expectation shortly of a new appraisal for BP which will help in the formation of a decision as to whether to continue this quest. As BP continues toward a half century of service we remain aware of the need and the number (some 300 plus on our waiting list) awaiting a home. We remain in debt to and in need of the continued support of all in the churches supporting BP, and look to God’s guidance as we continue this path of service.