If things go right, residents will be in the new Golden Plough Lodge before the summer.
Residents and family members of the Golden Plough Lodge were informed of updates to the new facility on January 13, 2026.
The presentation involved a number of people who are overseeing the move including a slideshow of the new facility.
AJ Woods spoke about the residents satisfaction survey that came in at a 87% satisfactory rate.
Woods said the goal at the Golden Plough Lodge (GPL) is to have an 80% rate or higher.
“So we are meeting that threshold which is amazing.”
In 2022 they were under 80%, “so we’ve really gone up in the last three years.”
Care, communications, support programs and restructuring are some of the things the GPL is working on.
In 2026, there will be two more survey’s to give feedback from the residents.
“We are very fortunate with all the responses we received back.”
Issues the GPL will be working on improving for the next survey are communications related to residents health and well-being, cleanliness, general maintenance and program activity.
Scott Berry who is Communications Officer for Capital Projects gave a slideshow presentation of the new GPL outlining a number of features with the building including fireplaces, cafes and greenhouses for the three storey facility that will house 151 residents and have approximately 300 staff members.
Berry said the new auditorium is four times as big as the current one and can be used for BINGO, bands, music, movie nights.
“The windows have a really neat Star Trek feature when you push a button they go opaque and keep the sunlight out.”
There is also a dividing wall that comes out making for a smaller room for memorials or worship services.
“We’re really looking forward to utilizing that space. It’s got a bar, cafeteria and lunch room at the side.”
At this point, all the furniture is in the facility, it’s just at a point of sorting where it goes.
From the photos, it looks like a beautiful facility with wide halls and a reading room.
Every resident area home has a name including Harbour Vista, Orchard Heights, and Timber Cove.
There are two nursing stations in each resident area home. One is a satellite station while the other nursing station is larger.
Every resident area home also has an activity area where there will be “hands-on” activities and games.
In each resident area home, there is even a “spa room” for bathing and showers with lots of space.
When a resident comes out of the shower, there is even a rack that heats the towels.
“So when you come out of the shower, you’re going to be wrapped in warm towels.”
The units for the residents at the new facility are approximately double the size of the current rooms and feature beautiful views facing east and west.
The beds being adjustable for height and each room has lifts for residents.
There is a new physiotherapy room with a number of pieces of equipment including a stair climber.
A barbershop and a hair salon are located on the third floor.
There are three outdoor courtyards in the new facility, “with lots of outdoor space.”
A greenhouse will be located on the third floor with portable planting tables of different sizes.
Adjacent to the greenhouse is a outdoor terrace.
“The site is made for all mobility needs and heights.”
On the first floor there is a smaller greenhouse.
With the new GPL being one of the highest points in Cobourg, Berry said “you get a beautiful view of the harbour and onto Lake Ontario. To the north you can see Northumberland hills.”
But added, “there is still lots of work to do.”
Including sanitizing all the rooms and washing the walls.
“Very little” of the equipment from the current GPL will be used in the new facility.
“We’ve purchased all new equipment.”
But a popular organ from the current GPL will be brought over, it’s just at a point of finding where to put it.
Patricio Echeverria (Chico), Activation Planner for the GPL gave an update on upcoming milestones with the GPL.
The “Road to Move In Major Milestones” include:
· Full building occupancy permit
· Ministry Occupancy Permit
· Residential Occupancy Permit
Final Building Approvals by Inspector – January
Staff Training/Residential Tours
Logistics and Inventory – ongoing
Ministry License to Operate – Middle of March
“The rubbers hit the road and we are definitely moving into the new year full speed,” said Echeverria.
The full building occupancy is when the contractor is done with the building, “the keys have been handed over to us and it’s fully our building.”
But Echeverria said, “there are a couple of little hiccups that we came across so there is a tiny bit of a delay on that so that’s why we haven’t received it yet.”
The Inspector is scheduled to come in again, “to do another inspection, very, very soon.”
But Echeverria didn’t go into detail about the “hiccups.”
“That’s a big piece.”
After that is received, the County can go in and get ready for the Ministry of Occupancy permit.
“That’s another major milestone to get the Ministry in and we’re having those conversations right now.”
But to have that inspection done, the building needs to be “fully stocked and ready to go.”
Part of the Ministry inspection is arranging individual inspectors like the health unit, fire inspection and others.
“So we have all different building certificates that have to be done and given to the Ministry to green light the building.”
Staff training will take place at the end of January.
All staff will be trained on new equipment which is different from the current GPL.
The last piece will be when the Ministry comes in to inspect the GPL for a license to a operate.
“When they come in, they are literally going to be reviewing everything in the building. That means they are going to be pulling every nurse call-bell, they are going to be flushing every toilet, they are going to be turning on every sink. Every single thing will be checked.”
When that happens, there will hopefully only be a “small list” of things, but then they have to confirm they have been resolved before the license is approved.
“All of this testing, all of these certificates and all of the things we’re doing is to ensure the building is 100% safe.”
It’s expected it will take approximately three days to move items that will be used into the new GPL when everything has been completed and permits approved. The residents will all be moved on the same day.
Monica Dees, Resident Move Coordinator said on Friday, February 13, 2026 a mock exercise will take place simulating the move.
The Resident Transfer Team consisting of 24 people have been training for months and months planning on the move.
There will be up to four scenarios during the day from the easiest, to a “worst case possible.”
Residents will not be participating, but staff will be taking on the role as residents during the exercise.
“Every single thing is going to be timed.”
Some residents will be moved by stretcher in a vehicle, or maybe a vehicle with up to four wheelchairs.
“We want to test it out what works best in what vehicle. We want it to be safe and comfortable for the residents.”
After each scenario there will be a debriefing about what could possible be done better.
Johannah Gomez is a registered nurse and is the RAI Coordinator said that the training for the 300 staff members will start on January 26 and will take up to eight weeks.
Training will include, general layout and familiarization, resident lifts, spa and tub rooms, beds and resident rooms, dining room routines including food flow and kitchen equipment, call bells, bed alarms, nursing stations, supplies and medications.
Starting on February 4 and going for a number of days there will be resident and family tours, but only of the main floor and up to 10 people can go on a tour at a time.
The building is currently $28,714,066 over budget.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
